Method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument

ABSTRACT

A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/868,457, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS, filed onJun. 28, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousembodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments and staplecartridges therefor that are designed to cut and staple tissue. Invarious embodiments, RFID technology can be used to identify thecomponents of a surgical instrument, such as staple cartridges, forexample. Examples of surgical systems which use RFID technology can befound in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,050, entitledELECTRICALLY SELF-POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUAL RELEASE, whichissued on Jun. 14, 2011, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/0053743,entitled ERROR DETECTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTASSEMBLIES, which published on Feb. 26, 2015, and both of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner ofattaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument comprising ahandle, a shaft, and an articulatable end effector;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector and the shaft ofthe surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of an articulation joint which rotatableconnects the shaft and the end effector of FIG. 1 which illustrates theend effector in a neutral, or centered, position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an articulation control of thesurgical instrument of FIG. 1 in a neutral, or centered, position;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the end effector, elongate shaft, andarticulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector, elongate shaft,and articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the end effector, elongate shaft, andarticulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 depicts the end effector of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1articulated about the articulation joint;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the articulation control of FIG. 6actuated to move the end effector as shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument comprising ahandle, a shaft, and an articulatable end effector;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a firing member and a pinion gearpositioned within the handle of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the firing member and the pinion gearof FIG. 14 and a gear reducer assembly operably engaged with the piniongear;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the handle of FIG. 12 with portionsthereof removed to illustrate the firing member and the pinion gear ofFIG. 14, the gear reducer assembly of FIG. 15, and an electric motorconfigured to drive the firing member distally and/or proximallydepending on the direction in which the electric motor is turned;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument comprising ahandle, a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint connectingthe end effector to the shaft illustrated with portions of the handleremoved for the purposes of illustration;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrated with the end effector in an open configuration, thearticulation joint in an unlocked configuration, and an articulationlock actuator of the surgical instrument handle illustrated in anunlocked configuration;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the end effector in an articulated, openconfiguration, the articulation joint in an unlocked configuration, andan articulation driver engaged with a firing member of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 17, wherein the movement of the firing member canmotivate the articulation driver and articulate the end effector;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the end effector in a closed configuration, thearticulation joint in an unlocked configuration, and an end effectorclosing drive being actuated to close the end effector and move thearticulation lock actuator into a locked configuration;

FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional detail view of the handle of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 17 illustrated in the configuration described withregard to FIG. 22;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the end effector in a closed configuration and thearticulation joint in a locked configuration, wherein the actuatedclosing drive prevents the articulation lock actuator from being movedinto its unlocked configuration illustrated in FIGS. 20-22;

FIG. 24A is a plan view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 17 illustrated in a locked configuration;

FIG. 24B is a plan view of the articulation joint of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 17 illustrated in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional detail view of the handle of the surgicalinstrument of FIG. 17 illustrating the articulation driver disconnectedfrom the firing member by closure drive;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the firing member in an at least partially firedposition and the articulation driver disconnected from the firing memberby the closure drive;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating end effector in a closed configuration, thearticulation joint and the articulation joint actuator in a lockedconfiguration, and the firing member in a retracted position;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the end effector in an open configuration, the endeffector closing drive in a retracted position, and the articulationjoint in a locked configuration;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional detail view of the surgical instrument ofFIG. 17 illustrating the end effector in an open configuration and thearticulation joint and the articulation joint actuator in an unlockedconfiguration wherein the articulation driver can be reconnected to thefiring drive and utilized to articulate the end effector once again;

FIG. 30 is an exploded view of a shaft and an end effector of a surgicalinstrument including an alternative articulation lock arrangement;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector andthe shaft of the surgical instrument of FIG. 30 illustrating the endeffector in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector andthe shaft of the surgical instrument of FIG. 30 illustrating the endeffector in a locked configuration;

FIG. 33 is an assembly view of one form of surgical system including asurgical instrument and a plurality of interchangeable shaft assemblies;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument handle coupled toan interchangeable shaft assembly;

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical instrumenthandle of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of the handle of FIG. 35 with aportion of the handle housing removed;

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of an interchangeable shaftassembly;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational assembly view of a portion of the handleand interchangeable shaft assembly of FIG. 34 illustrating the alignmentof those components prior to being coupled together and with portionsthereof omitted for clarity;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of an interchangeable shaftassembly prior to attachment to a handle of a surgical instrument;

FIG. 40 is a side view of a portion of an interchangeable shaft assemblycoupled to a handle with the lock yoke in a locked or engaged positionwith a portion of the frame attachment module of the handle;

FIG. 41 is another side view of the interchangeable shaft assembly andhandle of FIG. 40 with the lock yoke in the disengaged or unlockedposition;

FIG. 42 is a top view of a portion of an interchangeable shaft assemblyand handle prior to being coupled together;

FIG. 43 is another top view of the interchangeable shaft assembly andhandle of FIG. 42 coupled together;

FIG. 44 is a side elevational view of an interchangeable shaft assemblyaligned with a surgical instrument handle prior to being coupledtogether;

FIG. 45 is a front perspective view of the interchangeable shaftassembly and surgical instrument handle of FIG. 44 with portions thereofremoved for clarity;

FIG. 46 is a side view of a portion of an interchangeable shaft assemblyaligned with a portion of a surgical instrument handle prior to beingcoupled together and with portions thereof omitted for clarity;

FIG. 47 is another side elevational view of the interchangeable shaftassembly and handle of FIG. 46 wherein the shaft assembly is in partialcoupling engagement with the handle;

FIG. 48 is another side elevational view of the interchangeable shaftassembly and handle of FIGS. 46 and 47 after being coupled together;

FIG. 49 is another side elevational view of a portion of aninterchangeable shaft assembly aligned with a portion of handle prior tocommencing the coupling process;

FIG. 50 illustrates one embodiment of a logic diagram for a method ofcompensating for the effect of splay in flexible knife bands ontransection length;

FIG. 51 is a schematic of a system for powering down an electricalconnector of a surgical instrument handle when a shaft assembly is notcoupled thereto;

FIG. 52 is a schematic illustrating a system for controlling the speedof a motor and/or the speed of a driveable member of a surgicalinstrument disclosed herein;

FIG. 53 is a schematic illustrating another system for controlling thespeed of a motor and/or the speed of a driveable member of a surgicalinstrument disclosed herein;

FIG. 54 is a schematic illustrating a control system for controllingvarious operations of the various surgical instruments described hereinaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 54A is a partial view of the schematic of FIG. 54;

FIG. 54B is a partial view of the schematic of FIG. 54;

FIG. 55 is a schematic illustrating a switching circuit for a controlsystem according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 56 is a schematic illustrating a switching circuit for a controlsystem according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 57 is a schematic illustrating a control system for controllingvarious operations of the various surgical instruments described hereinaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 57A is a partial view of the schematic of FIG. 57;

FIG. 57B is a partial view of the schematic of FIG. 57;

FIG. 58 is a schematic illustrating a control system for controllingvarious operations of the various surgical instruments described hereinaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 59 is a schematic illustrating various sub-operations of theTransection Operation of FIG. 58 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 60 is a schematic illustrating various sub-operations of the FireOut Near Hard Stop Operation of FIG. 59 according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 61 is an elevation view of a surgical instrument comprising ahandle, a shaft, and an articulatable end effector in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 62 is a top view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 63 depicts the structure of a serial number that can be generatedfor a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridge of FIG. 62, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 64 is an elevation view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62;

FIG. 65 is a plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62;

FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional plan view of a jaw configured to receivethe staple cartridge of FIG. 62;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of an RFID tag in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 68 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cartridge body of thestaple cartridge of FIG. 62;

FIG. 69 is a cross-sectional view of a sled of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 62;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a removable cover of the staplecartridge of FIG. 62;

FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view of a sled in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 72 is an elevation view of an end effector including the sled ofFIG. 70 in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 72A is an elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 72illustrating the sled of FIG. 70 being advanced distally during a staplefiring stroke;

FIG. 72B is an elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 72illustrating the sled of FIG. 70 at the end of the staple firing stroke;

FIG. 73A is a detail view of an RFID tag embedded in the sled of FIG.70;

FIG. 73B is a detail view of the RFID tag being cut at the end of thestaple firing stroke;

FIG. 74 illustrates two staple cartridges;

FIG. 75 illustrates an end effector, wherein one of the staplecartridges of FIG. 74 is compatible with the end effector and the otherstaple cartridge is incompatible with the end effector;

FIG. 76 illustrates an algorithm for a control system in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 77 illustrates a flex circuit including RFID scanners in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of a surgical staple cartridge packaging,wherein the packaging comprises an identifying characteristic of thesurgical staple cartridge contained therein;

FIG. 79 is a partial cross-sectional view of an RFID system integratedwith the packaging of FIG. 78 when the packaging is in a sealedconfiguration;

FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of the RFID system of FIG. 79when the packaging is in an unsealed configuration;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a retainer for use with a surgicalstaple cartridge, wherein the retainer comprises an integrated RFID tag;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 81 being removedfrom a surgical staple cartridge;

FIG. 83 is a detailed view of the RFID tag of FIGS. 81 and 82 as theretainer is removed from the surgical staple cartridge;

FIG. 84 is a partial perspective view of a surgical staple cartridgecomprising an RFID system comprising an extended antenna, wherein aportion of the extended antenna traverses a cutting path of a tissuecutting member;

FIG. 85 is an RFID system comprising an RFID tag, a first RFID scannerintegrated into a first flex circuit layer, and a second RFID scannerintegrated into a second flex circuit layer;

FIG. 86 is a representation of the communication pathways of the RFIDsystem of FIG. 85 prior to a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 87 is a representation of the communication pathways of the RFIDsystem of FIG. 85 during and after a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 88 is a partial perspective view of a staple firing lockout systemin an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 88A is a perspective view of a blocking bolt assembly of the staplefiring lockout system of FIG. 88 in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 89 is a partial perspective view of the staple firing lockoutsystem of FIG. 88 in a locked configuration;

FIG. 89A is a perspective view of the blocking bolt assembly of FIG. 88Ain the locked configuration;

FIG. 90 is a motor control circuit diagram of a surgical instrumentcomprising the cartridge lockout assembly of FIGS. 88-89A;

FIG. 91 is a schematic representation of a manufacturing processconfigured to use an encryption protocol to facilitate the assembly andpackaging of a staple cartridge; and

FIG. 92 is a flowchart representative of a decryption protocol for theauthentication of a staple cartridge for use with a surgical system.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate certain embodiments of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on Jun. 30, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,108, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0405436;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,111, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM FOR TRACKING A MOVABLE        COMPONENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2020/0405437;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,114, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ALIGNED RFID SENSOR, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0405438;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,105, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION DECRYPTION PROTOCOL, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405302;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,110, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION ENCRYPTION PROTOCOL, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405297;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,120, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR AN INCOMPATIBLE        CARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2020/0405303;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,125, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A FRANGIBLE RFID TAG, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0405441; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,103, entitled PACKAGING        FOR A REPLACEABLE COMPONENT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405296.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on Jun. 30, 2019 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,107, entitled METHOD OF        USING MULTIPLE RFID CHIPS WITH A SURGICAL ASSEMBLY, now U.S.        Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405311;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,109, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR PROPER ANVIL ATTACHMENT SURGICAL STAPLING HEAD ASSEMBLY, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405312;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,119, entitled MECHANISMS        FOR MOTOR CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS OF A MOTORIZED SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2020/0405314;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,115, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH BATTERY COMPATIBILITY VERIFICATION        FUNCTIONALITY, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No.        2020/0405313;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,17, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM WITH RFID TAGS FOR UPDATING MOTOR ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS,        now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405439;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,121, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS, now U.S. Patent Application        Publication No. 2020/0405440;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,122, entitled RFID        IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0410177;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,106, entitled RFID        IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0405316;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,112, entitled SURGICAL        RFID ASSEMBLIES FOR DISPLAY AND COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0405409;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,116, entitled SURGICAL        RFID ASSEMBLIES FOR COMPATIBILITY DETECTION, now U.S. Patent        Application Publication No. 2020/0410180; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/458,118, entitled SURGICAL        RFID ASSEMBLIES FOR INSTRUMENT OPERATIONAL SETTING CONTROL, now        U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0405410.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on May 1, 2018 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,129,        entitled SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,139,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,177,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,128,        entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,192,        entitled SURGICAL DISSECTORS; and    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,134,        entitled SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on Aug. 24, 2018 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,129, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USING        MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,155, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER        THAN TROCAR DIAMETER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,168, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,180, entitled ELECTRICAL        POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,193, entitled REACTIVE        ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,099, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,112, entitled CONTROL        SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,119, entitled ADAPTIVE        CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING MORE THAN ONE        TYPE OF CARTRIDGE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,097, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,109, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,114, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,117, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,095, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,121, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,151, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION        COMPENSATION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,154, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,226, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR        HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,062, entitled SURGICAL        DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,098, entitled SURGICAL        DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,237, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER CONFIGURED TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,245, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,249, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,253, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,257, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN        GAUGE CIRCUIT.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications that were filed on Oct. 26, 2018 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,130, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,066, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A MOVABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,078, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,087, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,094, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,128, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A RECIPROCATING CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,168, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A MOTOR CONTROLLER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,164, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,303, entitled METHOD FOR        OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. PatentApplications, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosure of each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,385, entitled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, entitled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,403, entitled METHOD OF        CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,407, entitled METHOD OF        ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,416, entitled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, entitled METHOD OF        COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY        DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,427, entitled METHOD OF        USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO        OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,433, entitled METHOD OF        SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT,        ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND        COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE        HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,447, entitled METHOD FOR        SMOKE EVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,453, entitled METHOD FOR        CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,458, entitled METHOD FOR        SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,465, entitled METHOD FOR        ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND        INTERACTION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,478, entitled METHOD FOR        SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK        CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED        SITUATION OR USAGE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,490, entitled METHOD FOR        FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,491, entitled METHOD FOR        CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON        SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole orin part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or moreother embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performinglaparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, theperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thevarious methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numeroussurgical procedures and applications including, for example, inconnection with open surgical procedures. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be insertedinto a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through anincision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions orend effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into apatient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has aworking channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of asurgical instrument can be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effectorextending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staplecartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however,other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is notremovable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. Thesecond jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected fromthe staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the firstjaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned inwhich the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Thesurgical stapling system further comprises an articulation jointconfigured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated,relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about anarticulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Otherembodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge bodyincludes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between theproximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge ispositioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil ispositioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward thestaple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck.Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can bedeployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavitiesdefined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows.Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of alongitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on asecond side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staplecavities and staples may be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. Thedrivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second,or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Thedrivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extendsaround the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient membersconfigured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to thecartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positionsand their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between aproximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal positionadjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of rampedsurfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, andthe staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. Thefiring member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towardthe distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body isconfigured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slotconfigured to receive the firing member. The firing member furthercomprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam whichengages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, thefirst cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap,between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firingmember also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue capturedintermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for theknife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the rampedsurfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary surgical instrument 100 which includesa handle 103, a shaft 104 and an articulating end effector 102 pivotallyconnected to the shaft 104 at articulation joint 110. An articulationcontrol 112 is provided to effect rotation of the end effector 102 aboutarticulation joint 110. The end effector 102 comprises an endocutter forclamping, severing and stapling tissue; however, it will be appreciatedthat various embodiments may include end effectors configured to act asother surgical devices including, for example, graspers, cutters,staplers, clip appliers, access devices, drug/gene therapy deliverydevices, ultrasound, RF, and/or laser energy devices, etc. The handle103 of the instrument 100 includes a closure trigger 114 and a firingtrigger 116 for actuating the end effector 102. It will be appreciatedthat instruments having end effectors directed to different surgicaltasks may have different numbers or types of triggers or other suitablecontrols for operating an end effector. The end effector 102 isconnected to the handle 103 by a shaft 104. A clinician may articulatethe end effector 102 relative to the shaft 104 by utilizing thearticulation control 112, as described in greater detail further below.

It should be appreciated that spatial terms such as vertical,horizontal, right, left etc., are given herein with reference to thefigures assuming that the longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument100 is co-axial to the central axis of the shaft 104, with the triggers114, 116 extending downwardly at an acute angle from the bottom of thehandle 103. In actual practice, however, the surgical instrument 100 maybe oriented at various angles and as such these spatial terms are usedrelative to the surgical instrument 100 itself. Further, proximal isused to denote a perspective of a clinician who is behind the handle 103who places the end effector 102 distal, or away from him or herself. Asused herein, the phrase, “substantially transverse to the longitudinalaxis” where the “longitudinal axis” is the axis of the shaft, refers toa direction that is nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Itwill be appreciated, however, that directions that deviate some fromperpendicular to the longitudinal axis are also substantially transverseto the longitudinal axis.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to instruments havingan articulation joint driven by bending cables or bands. FIGS. 4 and 5show a cross-sectional top view of the elongate shaft 104 and the endeffector 102 including a band 205 that is mechanically coupled to a boss206 extending from the end effector 102. The band 205 may include bandportions 202 and 204 extending proximally from the boss 206 along theelongate shaft 104 and through the articulation control 112. The band205 and band portions 202, 204 can have a fixed length. The band 205 maybe mechanically coupled to the boss 206 as shown using any suitablefastening method including, for example, glue, welding, etc. In variousembodiments, each band portion 202, 204 may be provided as a separateband, with each separate band having one end mechanically coupled to theboss 206 and another end extending through the shaft 104 andarticulation controller 112. The separate bands may be mechanicallycoupled to the boss 206 as described above.

Further to the above, band portions 202, 204 may extend from the boss206, through the articulation joint 110 and along the shaft 104 to thearticulation control 112, shown in FIG. 6. The articulation control 112can include an articulation slide 208, a frame 212 and an enclosure 218.Band portions 202, 204 may pass through the articulation slide 208 byway of slot 210 or other aperture, although it will be appreciated thatthe band portions 202, 204 may be coupled to the slide 208 by anysuitable means. The articulation slide 208 may be one piece, as shown inFIG. 6, or may include two pieces with an interface between the twopieces defining the slot 210. In one non-limiting embodiment, thearticulation slide 208 may include multiple slots, for example, witheach slot configured to receive one of the band portions 202, 204.Enclosure 218 may cover the various components of the articulationcontrol 112 to prevent debris from entering the articulation control112.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the band portions 202, 204 may be anchored tothe frame 212 at connection points 214, 216, respectively, which areproximally located from the slot 210. It will be appreciated that bandportions 202, 204 may be anchored anywhere in the instrument 10 locatedproximally from the slot 210, including the handle 103. The non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 6 shows that the band portions 202, 204 can comprisea bent configuration between the connection points 214, 216 and the slot210 located near the longitudinal axis of the shaft 104. Otherembodiments are envisioned in which the band portions 202, 204 arestraight.

FIGS. 7-9 show views of the end effector 102 and elongate shaft 104 ofthe instrument 100 including the articulation joint 110 shown in FIG. 5.FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the end effector 102 and elongate shaft104 including various internal components. In at least one embodiment,an end effector frame 150 and shaft frame 154 are configured to bejoined at articulation joint 110. Boss 206 may be integral to the endeffector frame 150 with band 205 interfacing the boss 206 as shown. Theshaft frame 154 may include a distally directed tang 302 defining anaperture 304. The aperture 304 may be positioned to interface anarticulation pin (not shown) included in end effector frame 150 allowingthe end effector frame 150 to pivot relative to the shaft frame 154, andaccordingly, the end effector 102 to pivot relative to the shaft 104.When assembled, the various components may pivot about articulationjoint 110 at an articulation axis 306 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 7 also shows an anvil 120. In this non-limiting embodiment, theanvil 120 is coupled to an elongate channel 198. For example, apertures199 can be defined in the elongate channel 198 which can receive pins152 extending from the anvil 120 and allow the anvil 120 to pivot froman open position to a closed position relative to the elongate channel198 and staple cartridge 118. In addition, FIG. 7 shows a firing bar172, configured to longitudinally translate through the shaft frame 154,through the flexible closure and pivoting frame articulation joint 110,and through a firing slot 176 in the distal frame 150 into the endeffector 102. The firing bar 172 may be constructed from one solidsection, or in various embodiments, may include a laminate materialcomprising, for example, a stack of steel plates. It will be appreciatedthat a firing bar 172 made from a laminate material may lower the forcerequired to articulate the end effector 102. In various embodiments, aspring clip 158 can be mounted in the end effector frame 150 to bias thefiring bar 172 downwardly. Distal and proximal square apertures 164, 168formed on top of the end effector frame 150 may define a clip bar 170therebetween that receives a top arm 162 of a clip spring 158 whoselower, distally extended arm 160 asserts a downward force on a raisedportion 174 of the firing bar 172, as discussed below.

A distally projecting end of the firing bar 172 can be attached to anE-beam 178 that can, among other things, assist in spacing the anvil 120from a staple cartridge 118 positioned in the elongate channel 198 whenthe anvil 120 is in a closed position. The E-beam 178 can also include asharpened cutting edge 182 which can be used to sever tissue as theE-beam 178 is advanced distally by the firing bar 172. In operation, theE-beam 178 can also actuate, or fire, the staple cartridge 118. Thestaple cartridge 118 can include a molded cartridge body 194 that holdsa plurality of staples 191 resting upon staple drivers 192 withinrespective upwardly open staple cavities 195. A wedge sled 190 is drivendistally by the E-beam 178, sliding upon a cartridge tray 196 that holdstogether the various components of the replaceable staple cartridge 118.The wedge sled 190 upwardly cams the staple drivers 192 to force out thestaples 191 into deforming contact with the anvil 120 while a cuttingsurface 182 of the E-beam 178 severs clamped tissue.

Further to the above, the E-beam 178 can include upper pins 180 whichengage the anvil 120 during firing. The E-beam 178 can further includemiddle pins 184 and a bottom foot 186 which can engage various portionsof the cartridge body 194, cartridge tray 196 and elongate channel 198.When a staple cartridge 118 is positioned within the elongate channel198, a slot 193 defined in the cartridge body 194 can be aligned with aslot 197 defined in the cartridge tray 196 and a slot 189 defined in theelongate channel 198. In use, the E-beam 178 can slide through thealigned slots 193, 197, and 189 wherein, as indicated in FIG. 7, thebottom foot 186 of the E-beam 178 can engage a groove running along thebottom surface of channel 198 along the length of slot 189, the middlepins 184 can engage the top surfaces of cartridge tray 196 along thelength of longitudinal slot 197, and the upper pins 180 can engage theanvil 120. In such circumstances, the E-beam 178 can space, or limit therelative movement between, the anvil 120 and the staple cartridge 118 asthe firing bar 172 is moved distally to fire the staples from the staplecartridge 118 and/or incise the tissue captured between the anvil 120and the staple cartridge 118. Thereafter, the firing bar 172 and theE-beam 178 can be retracted proximally allowing the anvil 120 to beopened to release the two stapled and severed tissue portions (notshown).

FIGS. 7-9 also show a double pivot closure sleeve assembly 121 accordingto various embodiments. With particular reference to FIG. 7, the doublepivot closure sleeve assembly 121 includes a shaft closure tube section128 having upper and lower distally projecting tangs 146, 148. An endeffector closure tube section 126 includes a horseshoe aperture 124 anda tab 123 for engaging the opening tab 122 on the anvil 120. Thehorseshoe aperture 124 and tab 123 engage tab 122 when the anvil 120 isopened. The closure tube section 126 is shown having upper 144 and lower(not visible) proximally projecting tangs. An upper double pivot link130 includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins 134, 136that engage respectively an upper distal pin hole 138 in the upperproximally projecting tang 144 and an upper proximal pin hole 140 in theupper distally projecting tang 146. A lower double pivot link 132includes downwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins (not shownin FIG. 7, but see FIG. 8) that engage respectively a lower distal pinhole in the lower proximally projecting tang and a lower proximal pinhole 142 in the lower distally projecting tang 148.

In use, the closure sleeve assembly 121 is translated distally to closethe anvil 120, for example, in response to the actuation of the closuretrigger 114. The anvil 120 is closed by distally translating the closuretube section 126, and thus the sleeve assembly 121, causing it to strikea proximal surface on the anvil 120 located in FIG. 9A to the left ofthe tab 122. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the anvil 120 isopened by proximally translating the tube section 126, and sleeveassembly 121, causing tab 123 and the horseshoe aperture 124 to contactand push against the tab 122 to lift the anvil 120. In the anvil-openposition, the double pivot closure sleeve assembly 121 is moved to itsproximal position.

In operation, the clinician may articulate the end effector 102 of theinstrument 100 relative to the shaft 104 about pivot 110 by pushing thecontrol 112 laterally. From the neutral position, the clinician mayarticulate the end effector 102 to the left relative to the shaft 104 byproviding a lateral force to the left side of the control 112. Inresponse to force, the articulation slide 208 may be pushed at leastpartially into the frame 212. As the slide 208 is pushed into the frame212, the slot 210 as well as band portion 204 may be translated acrossthe elongate shaft 104 in a transverse direction, for example, adirection substantially transverse, or perpendicular, to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft 104. Accordingly, a force is applied toband portion 204, causing it to resiliently bend and/or displace fromits initial pre-bent position toward the opposite side of the shaft 104.Concurrently, band portion 202 is relaxed from its initial pre-bentposition. Such movement of the band portion 204, coupled with thestraightening of band portion 202, can apply a counter-clockwiserotational force at boss 206 which in turn causes the boss 206 and endeffector 102 to pivot to the left about the articulation pivot 110 to adesired angle relative to the axis of the shaft 104 as shown in FIG. 12.The relaxation of the band portion 202 decreases the tension on thatband portion, allowing the band portion 204 to articulate the endeffector 102 without substantial interference from the band portion 202.It will be appreciated that the clinician may also articulate the endeffector 102 to the right relative to the shaft 104 by providing alateral force to the right side of the control 112. This bends cableportion 202, causing a clockwise rotational force at boss 206 which, inturn, causes the boss 206 and end effector to pivot to the right aboutarticulation pivot 110. Similar to the above, band portion 204 can beconcurrently relaxed to permit such movement.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a motor-driven surgical cutting and fasteninginstrument 310. This illustrated embodiment depicts an endoscopicinstrument and, in general, the instrument 310 is described herein as anendoscopic surgical cutting and fastening instrument; however, it shouldbe noted that the invention is not so limited and that, according toother embodiments, any instrument disclosed herein may comprise anon-endoscopic surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The surgicalinstrument 310 depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 comprises a handle 306, ashaft 308, and an end effector 312 connected to the shaft 308. Invarious embodiments, the end effector 312 can be articulated relative tothe shaft 308 about an articulation joint 314. Various means forarticulating the end effector 312 and/or means for permitting the endeffector 312 to articulate relative to the shaft 308 are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, whichissued on Jul. 13, 2010, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICALINSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2,2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein. Various other means for articulating the end effector 312 arediscussed in greater detail below. Similar to the above, the endeffector 312 is configured to act as an endocutter for clamping,severing, and/or stapling tissue, although, in other embodiments,different types of end effectors may be used, such as end effectors forother types of surgical devices, graspers, cutters, staplers, clipappliers, access devices, drug/gene therapy devices, ultrasound, RFand/or laser devices, etc. Several RF devices may be found in U.S. Pat.No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, which issuedon Apr. 4, 1995, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573,entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES,filed Feb. 14, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated byreference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are usedherein with reference to a clinician gripping the handle 306 of theinstrument 310. Thus, the end effector 312 is distal with respect to themore proximal handle 306. It will be further appreciated that, forconvenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical” and“horizontal” are used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

The end effector 312 can include, among other things, a staple channel322 and a pivotally translatable clamping member, such as an anvil 324,for example. The handle 306 of the instrument 310 may include a closuretrigger 318 and a firing trigger 320 for actuating the end effector 312.It will be appreciated that instruments having end effectors directed todifferent surgical tasks may have different numbers or types of triggersor other suitable controls for operating the end effector 312. Thehandle 306 can include a downwardly extending pistol grip 326 towardwhich the closure trigger 318 is pivotally drawn by the clinician tocause clamping or closing of the anvil 324 toward the staple channel 322of the end effector 312 to thereby clamp tissue positioned between theanvil 324 and channel 322. In other embodiments, different types ofclamping members in addition to or lieu of the anvil 324 could be used.The handle 306 can further include a lock which can be configured toreleasably hold the closure trigger 318 in its closed position. Moredetails regarding embodiments of an exemplary closure system for closing(or clamping) the anvil 324 of the end effector 312 by retracting theclosure trigger 318 are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRINGSYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139,entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITHTACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued on Sep. 9, 2008, and U.S. Pat.No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITHCLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec. 16,2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

Once the clinician is satisfied with the positioning of the end effector312, the clinician may draw back the closure trigger 318 to its fullyclosed, locked position proximate to the pistol grip 326. The firingtrigger 320 may then be actuated, or fired. In at least one suchembodiment, the firing trigger 320 can be farther outboard of theclosure trigger 318 wherein the closure of the closure trigger 318 canmove, or rotate, the firing trigger 320 toward the pistol grip 326 sothat the firing trigger 320 can be reached by the operator using onehand. in various circumstances. Thereafter, the operator may pivotallydraw the firing trigger 320 toward the pistol grip 312 to cause thestapling and severing of clamped tissue in the end effector 312.Thereafter, the firing trigger 320 can be returned to its unactuated, orunfired, position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) after the clinician relaxesor releases the force being applied to the firing trigger 320. A releasebutton on the handle 306, when depressed, may release the locked closuretrigger 318. The release button may be implemented in various forms suchas, for example, those disclosed in published U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENINGINSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, which was filed onJan. 31, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Further to the above, the end effector 312 may include a cuttinginstrument, such as knife, for example, for cutting tissue clamped inthe end effector 312 when the firing trigger 320 is retracted by a user.Also further to the above, the end effector 312 may also comprise meansfor fastening the tissue severed by the cutting instrument, such asstaples, RF electrodes, and/or adhesives, for example. A longitudinallymovable drive shaft located within the shaft 308 of the instrument 310may drive/actuate the cutting instrument and the fastening means in theend effector 312. An electric motor, located in the handle 306 of theinstrument 310 may be used to drive the drive shaft, as describedfurther herein. In various embodiments, the motor may be a DC brusheddriving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM,for example. In other embodiments, the motor may include a brushlessmotor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or anyother suitable electric motor. A battery (or “power source” or “powerpack”), such as a Li ion battery, for example, may be provided in thepistol grip portion 26 of the handle 6 adjacent to the motor wherein thebattery can supply electric power to the motor via a motor controlcircuit. According to various embodiments, a number of battery cellsconnected in series may be used as the power source to power the motor.In addition, the power source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above, the electric motor in the handle 306 of theinstrument 310 can be operably engaged with the longitudinally-movabledrive member positioned within the shaft 308. Referring now to FIGS.14-16, an electric motor 342 can be mounted to and positioned within thepistol grip portion 326 of the handle 306. The electric motor 342 caninclude a rotatable shaft operably coupled with a gear reducer assembly370 wherein the gear reducer assembly 370 can include, among otherthings, a housing 374 and an output pinion gear 372. In certainembodiments, the output pinion gear 372 can be directly operably engagedwith a longitudinally-movable drive member 382 or, alternatively,operably engaged with the drive member 382 via one or more intermediategears 386. The intermediate gear 386, in at least one such embodiment,can be meshingly engaged with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 384 definedin the drive member 382. In use, the electric motor 342 can be drive thedrive member distally, indicated by an arrow D (FIG. 15), and/orproximally, indicated by an arrow D (FIG. 16), depending on thedirection in which the electric motor 342 rotates the intermediate gear386. In use, a voltage polarity provided by the battery can operate theelectric motor 342 in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarityapplied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order tooperate the electric motor 342 in a counter-clockwise direction. Thehandle 306 can include a switch which can be configured to reverse thepolarity applied to the electric motor 342 by the battery. The handle306 can also include a sensor 330 configured to detect the position ofthe drive member 382 and/or the direction in which the drive member 382is being moved.

As indicated above, the surgical instrument 310 can include anarticulation joint 314 about which the end effector 312 can bearticulated. The instrument 310 can further include an articulation lockwhich can be configured and operated to selectively lock the endeffector 312 in position. In at least one such embodiment, thearticulation lock can extend from the proximal end of the shaft 308 tothe distal end of the shaft 308 wherein a distal end of the articulationlock can engage the end effector 312 to lock the end effector 312 inposition. Referring again to FIGS. 12 and 13, the instrument 310 canfurther include an articulation control 316 which can be engaged with aproximal end of the articulation lock and can be configured to operatethe articulation lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. Inuse, the articulation control 316 can be pulled proximally to unlock theend effector 312 and permit the end effector 312 to rotate about thearticulation joint 314. After the end effector 312 has been suitablyarticulated, the articulation control 316 can be moved distally tore-lock the end effector 312 in position. In at least one suchembodiment, the handle 306 can further include a spring and/or othersuitable biasing elements configured to bias the articulation control316 distally and to bias the articulation lock into a lockedconfiguration with the end effector 312. If the clinician desires, theclinician can once again pull the articulation control 316 back, orproximally, to unlock the end effector 312, articulate the end effector312, and then move the articulation control 316 back into its lockedstate. In such a locked state, the end effector 312 may not articulaterelative to the shaft 308.

As outlined above, the surgical instrument 310 can include anarticulation lock configured to hold the end effector 312 in positionrelative to the shaft 308. As also outlined above, the end effector 312can be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft 308 when thearticulation lock is in its unlocked state. In such an unlocked state,the end effector 312 can be positioned and pushed against soft tissueand/or bone, for example, surrounding the surgical site within thepatient in order to cause the end effector 312 to articulate relative tothe shaft 308. In certain embodiments, the articulation control 316 cancomprise an articulation switch or can be configured to operate anarticulation switch which can selectively permit and/or prevent thefiring trigger 320 from operating the electric motor 342. For instance,such an articulation switch can be placed in series with the electricmotor 342 and a firing switch operably associated with the firingtrigger 320 wherein the articulation switch can be in a closed statewhen the articulation control 316 is in a locked state. When thearticulation control 316 is moved into an unlocked state, thearticulation control 316 can open the articulation switch therebyelectrically decoupling the operation of the firing trigger 320 and theoperation of the electric motor 342. In such circumstances, the firingdrive of the instrument 310 cannot be fired while the end effector 312is in an unlocked state and is articulatable relative to the shaft 308.When the articulation control 316 is returned to its locked state, thearticulation control 316 can re-close the articulation switch which canthen electrically couple the operation of the firing trigger 320 withthe electric motor 342. Various details of one or more surgical staplinginstruments are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITHELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, which was filed on Dec.24, 2009, and which published on Jun. 30, 2011 as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0155785, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688,the entire disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Turning now to FIGS. 17-29, a surgical instrument 400 can comprise ahandle 403, a shaft 404 extending from the handle 403, and an endeffector 402 extending from the shaft 404. As the reader will note,portions of the handle 403 have been removed for the purposes ofillustration; however, the handle 403 can include a closure trigger anda firing trigger similar to the closure trigger 114 and the firingtrigger 116 depicted in FIG. 1, for example. As will be described ingreater detail below, the firing trigger 116 can be operably coupledwith a firing drive including a firing member 470 extending through theshaft 404 wherein the operation of the firing trigger 116 can advancethe firing member 470 distally toward the end effector 402. As will alsobe described in greater detail below, the surgical instrument 400 canfurther include an articulation drive which can be selectively coupledwith the firing member 470 such that, when the firing member 470 ismotivated by the firing trigger 116 and/or by a separate articulationtrigger and/or button, for example, the articulation drive can be drivenby the firing member 470 and the articulation drive can, in turn,articulate the end effector 402 about an articulation joint 410.

Turning now to FIG. 17, the reader will note that the end effector 402of the surgical instrument 400 is illustrated in an open configuration.More particularly, a first jaw of the end effector 402 comprising ananvil 420 is illustrated in an open position relative to a channel 498of a second jaw of the end effector 402. Similar to the above, thechannel 498 can be configured to receive and secure a staple cartridgetherein. Turning now to FIG. 20 which also illustrates the end effector420 in an open configuration, the handle 403 of the surgical instrument400 can include an articulation lock actuator 409 which can be movedbetween a distal, or locked, position in which the end effector 402 islocked in position relative to the shaft 404 and a proximal, orunlocked, position in which the end effector 402 can be articulatedrelative to the shaft 404 about the articulation joint 410. Although theend effector 402 and the shaft 404 are illustrated in FIG. 20 as beingaligned in a straight configuration, the articulation lock actuator 409is illustrated in its retracted, unlocked position and, as a result, theend effector 402 can be articulated relative to the shaft 404. Referringto FIGS. 19, 24A and 24B, the articulation lock actuator 409 (FIG. 21)can be operably coupled with an articulation lock 443 wherein thearticulation lock actuator 409 can move the articulation lock 443between a distal position (FIG. 24A) in which the articulation lock 443is engaged with a proximal lock member 407 of the end effector 402 and aproximal position (FIG. 24B) in which the articulation lock 443 isdisengaged from the end effector 402. As the reader will appreciate, thedistal, locked, position of the articulation lock actuator 409corresponds with the distal position of the articulation lock 443 andthe proximal, unlocked, position of the articulation lock actuator 409corresponds with the proximal position of the articulation lock 443.Turning now to FIG. 19, the articulation lock 443 is coupled to thearticulation lock actuator 409 by an articulation lock bar 440 whichcomprises a distal end 442 engaged with the articulation lock 443, asbetter seen in FIG. 24A, and a proximal end 441 engaged with thearticulation lock actuator 409, as better seen in FIG. 22. Asillustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the articulation lock 443 can compriseone or more teeth 445 which can be configured to meshingly engage one ormore teeth 446 defined around the perimeter of the proximal lock member407, for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the shaft 404 canfurther comprise a biasing member, such as a spring 444, for example,which can be configured to bias the teeth 445 of the articulation lock443 into engagement with the teeth 446 of the proximal lock member 407of the end effector 402. Similarly, the handle 403 can further comprisea biasing member positioned within the cavity 488 (FIG. 23) definedbetween the articulation lock actuator 409 and the frame 480 such thatthe biasing member can push the articulation lock actuator 409 towardsits distal, locked, position.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the articulation lock actuator 409 can becomprised of two nozzle halves, or portions, 411 a and 411 b wherein, asthe reader will note, the nozzle portion 411 b has been removed fromFIGS. 18-27 for the purposes of illustration. As also illustrated inFIG. 17, the articulation lock actuator 409 can comprise a plurality offinger hooks 413 which can be grasped by the surgeon, or otherclinician, in order to retract the articulation lock actuator 409 intoits proximal, unlocked, configuration. The articulation lock actuator409, referring again to FIG. 20, can further include a detent assembly452 which can be configured to bias a detent member 457 against theframe of the shaft 404 or the frame of the handle 403. Moreparticularly, the shaft 404 can comprise a shaft frame 454 extendingfrom a handle frame 480 wherein the detent assembly 452 can beconfigured to bias the detent member 457 against the shaft frame 454.Referring to FIG. 19, the shaft frame 454 can include a detent channel453 defined therein which can be aligned with the detent member 457 suchthat, as the articulation lock actuator 409 is slid between its lockedand unlocked positions described above, the detent member 457 can slidewithin the detent channel 453. The detent assembly 452, referring againto FIG. 20, can include a stationary frame portion 458 which can definea threaded aperture configured to receive an adjustable threaded member459. The adjustable threaded member 459 can include an internal aperturewherein at least a portion of the detent member 457 can be positionedwithin the internal aperture and wherein the detent member 457 can bebiased to the end of the internal aperture by a spring, for example,positioned intermediate the detent member 457 and a closed end of theinternal aperture, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the proximalend of the detent channel 453 can comprise a detent seat 455 which canbe configured to removably receive the detent member 457 when thearticulation lock actuator 409 has reached its proximal, unlocked,position. In various circumstances, the detent member 457, the detentseat 455, and the biasing spring positioned in the adjustable threadedmember 459 can be sized and configured such that the detent assembly 452can releasably hold the articulation lock actuator 409 in its proximal,unlocked, position. As described in greater detail below, thearticulation lock actuator 409 can be held in its proximal, unlocked,position until the end effector 402 has been suitably articulated. Atsuch point, the articulation lock actuator 409 can be pushed forward todisengage the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455. As the readerwill appreciate, referring primarily to FIG. 20, the adjustable threadedmember 459 can be rotated downwardly toward the shaft frame 454 in orderto increase the force needed to unseat the detent member 457 from thedetent seat 455 while the adjustable threaded member 459 can be rotatedupwardly away from the shaft frame 454 in order to decrease the forceneeded to unseat the detent member 457 from the detent seat 455. As alsoillustrated in FIG. 20, the articulation lock actuator 409 can comprisean access port 418 which can be utilized to access and rotate thethreaded member 459.

As discussed above, the articulation lock actuator 409 is in aretracted, unlocked, position in FIG. 20 and the end effector 402 is inan unlocked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 24B. Referring now toFIGS. 19 and 20, the surgical instrument 400 further comprises anarticulation driver 460 which can be pushed distally to rotate the endeffector 402 about the articulation joint 410 in a first direction andpulled proximally to rotate the end effector 402 about the articulationjoint in a second, or opposite, direction, as illustrated in FIG. 21.Upon comparing FIGS. 20 and 21, the reader will note that thearticulation driver 460 has been pulled proximally by the firing member470. More specifically, an intermediate portion 475 of the firing member470 can comprise a notch, or slot, 476 defined therein which can beconfigured to receive a proximal end 461 of the articulation driver 460such that, when the firing member 470 is pulled proximally, the firingmember 470 can pull the articulation driver 460 proximally as well.Similarly, when the firing member 470 is pushed distally, the firingmember 470 can push the articulation driver 460 distally. As alsoillustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the articulation driver 460 can comprisea distal end 462 engaged with a projection 414 extending from theproximal lock member 407, for example, which can be configured totransmit the proximal and distal articulation motions of thearticulation driver 460 to the end effector 102. Referring primarily toFIGS. 18-20, the handle 404 can further comprise a proximal firingmember portion 482 of the firing member 470 including a distal end 481engaged with a proximal end 477 of the intermediate portion 475 of thefiring member 470. Similar to the above, the handle 403 can include anelectric motor comprising an output shaft and a gear operably engagedwith the output shaft wherein the gear can be operably engaged with alongitudinal set of teeth 484 defined in a surface of the firing memberportion 482. In use, further to the above, the electric motor can beoperated in a first direction to advance the firing member 470 distallyand a second, or opposite, direction to retract the firing member 470proximally. Although not illustrated, the handle 403 can furthercomprise a switch which can be positioned in a first condition tooperate the electric motor in its first direction, a second condition tooperate the electric motor in its second direction, and/or a neutralcondition in which the electric motor is not operated in eitherdirection. In at least one such embodiment, the switch can include atleast one biasing member, such as a spring, for example, which can beconfigured to bias the switch into its neutral condition, for example.Also, in at least one such embodiment, the first condition of thearticulation switch can comprise a first position of a switch toggle ona first side of a neutral position and the second condition of thearticulation switch can comprise a second position of the switch toggleon a second, or opposite, side of the neutral position, for example.

In various circumstances, further to the above, the articulation switchcan be used to make small adjustments in the position of the endeffector 402. For instance, the surgeon can move the articulation switchin a first direction to rotate the end effector 402 about thearticulation joint in a first direction and then reverse the movement ofthe end effector 402 by moving the articulation switch in the seconddirection, and/or any other suitable combinations of movements in thefirst and second directions, until the end effector 402 is positioned ina desired position. Referring primarily to FIGS. 19, 24A, and 24B, thearticulation joint 410 can include a pivot pin 405 extending from ashaft frame member 451 and, in addition, an aperture 408 defined in theproximal lock member 407 which is configured to closely receive thepivot pin 405 therein such that the rotation of the end effector 402 isconstrained to rotation about an articulation axis 406, for example.Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the distal end of the shaft frame 454can include a recess 456 configured to receive the shaft frame member451 therein. As will be described in greater detail below, the shaft 404can include an outer sleeve which can be slid relative to the shaftframe 454 in order to close the anvil 420. Referring primarily to FIGS.19-21, the outer sleeve of the shaft 410 can comprise a proximal portion428 and a distal portion 426 which can be connected to one another byarticulation links 430 and 432. When the outer sleeve is slid relativeto the articulation joint 410, the articulation links 430 canaccommodate the angled relative movement between the distal portion 426and the proximal portion 428 of the outer sleeve when the end effector402 has been articulated, as illustrated in FIG. 21. In variouscircumstances, the articulation links 430 and 432 can provide two ormore degrees of freedom at the articulation joint 410 in order toaccommodate the articulation of the end effector 402. The reader willalso note that the articulation joint 410 can further include a guide401 which can be configured to receive a distal cutting portion 472 ofthe firing member 470 therein and guide the distal cutting portion 472as it is advanced distally and/or retracted proximally within and/orrelative to the articulation joint 410.

As outlined above, the firing member 470 can be advanced distally inorder to advance the articulation driver 460 distally and, as a result,rotate the end effector 402 in a first direction and, similarly, thefiring member 470 can be retracted proximally in order to retract thearticulation driver 460 proximally and, as a result, rotate the endeffector 402 in an opposite direction. In some circumstances, however,it may be undesirable to move, or at least substantially move, thedistal cutting portion 472 of the firing member 470 when the firingmember 470 is being utilized to articulate the end effector 402. Turningnow to FIGS. 19-21, the intermediate portion 475 of the firing member470 can comprise a longitudinal slot 474 defined in the distal endthereof which can be configured to receive the proximal end 473 of thedistal cutting portion 472. The longitudinal slot 474 and the proximalend 473 can be sized and configured to permit relative movementtherebetween and can comprise a slip joint 471. The slip joint 471 canpermit the intermediate portion 475 of the firing drive 470 to be movedto articulate the end effector 402 without moving, or at leastsubstantially moving, the distal cutting portion 472. Once the endeffector 402 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate portion 475can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of the longitudinalslot 474 comes into contact with the proximal end 473 in order toadvance the distal cutting portion 472 and fire the staple cartridgepositioned within the channel 498, as described in greater detailfurther below. Referring primarily to FIG. 19, the shaft frame 454 cancomprise a longitudinal slot 469 defined therein which can be configuredto slidably receive the articulation driver 460 and, similarly, theproximal portion 428 of the outer shaft sleeve can comprise alongitudinal opening 425 configured to accommodate the relative movementbetween the articulation driver 460 and the outer sleeve of the shaft404 described above.

Further to the above, the articulation lock actuator 409 can beconfigured to bias the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver460 toward the drive member 470 when the articulation lock actuator 409is in its proximal, unlocked, position. More particularly, in at leastone such embodiment, the inner surface of the articulation lock actuator409 can comprise a cam which can engage a lateral side 466 of theproximal portion 461 and bias the proximal portion 461 into engagementwith the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 of the drivemember 470. When the articulation lock actuator 409 is moved back intoits distal, locked, position, the articulation lock actuator 409 may nolonger bias the proximal portion 461 inwardly toward the drive member470. In at least one such embodiment, the handle 403 and/or the shaft404 can comprise a resilient member, such as a spring, for example,which can be configured to bias the proximal portion 461 outwardly awayfrom the firing member 470 such that the proximal portion 461 is notoperably engaged with the slot 476 unless the biasing force of theresilient member is overcome by the articulation lock actuator 409 whenthe articulation lock actuator 409 is moved proximally into its unlockedposition, as described above. In various circumstances, the proximalportion 461 and the slot 476 can comprise a force-limiting clutch.

Once the end effector 402 has been articulated into the desiredorientation, further to the above, the closure trigger 114 can beactuated to move the anvil 420 toward its closed position, asillustrated in FIG. 22. More particularly, the closure trigger 114 canadvance the outer sleeve of the shaft 410 distally such that the distalportion 426 of the outer sleeve can push the anvil 420 distally anddownwardly, for example. The anvil 420 can comprise projections 497extending from opposite sides of the anvil 420 which can each beconfigured to slide and rotate within elongate slots 499 defined in thecartridge channel 498. The anvil 420 can further comprise a projection496 extending upwardly therefrom which can be positioned within anaperture 495 defined in the distal portion 426 of the outer sleevewherein a sidewall of the aperture 495 can contact the projection 496 asthe distal portion 426 is advanced distally to move the anvil 420 towardthe cartridge channel 498. The actuation of the closure drive, furtherto the above, can also move the articulation lock actuator 409 from itsproximal, unlocked, position (FIGS. 20-22) into its distal, locked,position (FIG. 23). More specifically, the closure drive can beconfigured to advance a closure drive carriage 415 distally which cancontact a collar 450 mounted within the articulation actuator 409, asillustrated in FIG. 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22, the collar450 can comprise opposing portions, or halves, which can be assembledtogether such that the opposing portions of the collar 450 can surroundthe shaft 404. The collar 450 can also support the detent assembly 452,which is discussed above, and can include a mounting portion engagedwith the proximal end 441 of the articulation lock bar 440, which isalso discussed above. In any event, the closure drive carriage 415 cancontact the collar 450 and slide the articulation lock actuator 409distally and, further to the above, displace the detent member 457 fromthe detent seat 455, referring to FIG. 19, into the detent channel 453such that the articulation lock actuator 409 can be pushed into itslocked position and the articulation lock 443 can be moved intoengagement with the proximal lock portion 407 to lock the end effector402 in position, as illustrated in FIG. 23. At such point, the closuredrive carriage 415 can prevent the end effector 402 from being unlockedand articulated until the closure drive and the anvil 420 is reopenedand the closure drive carriage 415 is moved proximally, as described ingreater detail further below.

Referring now to FIG. 25, the actuation of the closure drive by theclosure drive actuator 114 and the distal advancement of the outersleeve 428 of the shaft 410 can also operably disengage the articulationdriver 460 from the firing drive 470. Upon reviewing FIGS. 20 and 21once again, the reader will note that the outer sleeve 428 includes awindow 424 defined therein within which a rotatable cam member 465 canbe positioned. The cam member 465 can comprise a first end rotatablypinned or coupled to the shaft frame 454 and a second end configured torotate relative to the pinned end of the cam member 465 while, in otherembodiments, the cam member 465 can comprise any suitable shape. Whenthe outer sleeve 428 is in its proximal position and the anvil 420 is inits open configuration, the cam member 465 can be in a first positionwhich permits the proximal end 461 of the articulation driver 460 to beengaged with the slot 476 defined in the firing member 470; however,when the outer sleeve 428 is advanced distally, a sidewall of the window424 can engage the cam member 465 and lift the second end of the cammember 465 away from the shaft frame 454 into a second position. In thissecond position, the cam member 465 can move the proximal end 461 of thearticulation driver 460 away from the firing drive 470 such that theproximal end 461 is no longer positioned within the slot 476 defined inthe firing drive 470. Thus, when the closure drive has been actuated toclose the anvil 420, the closure drive can push the articulation lockactuator 409 into its distal, locked, configuration, the articulationlock actuator 409 can push the articulation lock 445 into a lockedconfiguration with the end effector 402, and, in addition, the closuredrive can operably disconnect the articulation driver 460 from thefiring drive 470. At such point in the operation of the surgicalinstrument 400, the actuation of the firing drive 470 will notarticulate the end effector 402 and the firing drive 470 can moveindependently of the articulation driver 460.

Turning now to FIG. 26, as mentioned above, the firing drive 470 can beadvanced distally to eject staples from a staple cartridge positionedwithin the channel 498 of the end effector 402 and to deform the staplesagainst the anvil 420. As outlined above, the firing drive 470 canfurther comprise a cutting member which can be configured to transectthe tissue captured within the end effector 402. As also mentionedabove, the electric motor within the handle 403 can be operated by thefiring actuator 116 in order to advance the firing member 470 distallywherein, in various circumstances, the electric motor can be operateduntil the distal cutting portion 472 of the firing member 470 reachesthe distal end of the staple cartridge and/or any other suitableposition within the staple cartridge. In any event, the rotation of theelectric motor can be reversed to retract the firing member 470proximally, as illustrated in FIG. 27. In various circumstances, theelectric motor can retract the proximal drive portion 482 and theintermediate portion 475 until the distal sidewall of the longitudinalslot 474 defined in the intermediate portion 475 comes into contact withthe proximal end 473 of the distal cutting member 472. At such point,the further retraction of the proximal drive portion 482 and theintermediate portion 475 will retract the distal cutting member 472proximally. In various circumstances, the electric motor can be operateduntil the slot 476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 of the firingmember 470 is realigned with the proximal portion 461 of thearticulation driver 460; however, as the closure sleeve 428 is still ina distally advanced position, the cam member 465 may still be biasingthe articulation driver 460 out of engagement with the firing member470. In order to permit the articulation driver 460 to be re-engagedwith the firing member 470, in such circumstances, the closure drivewould have to be re-opened to bring the window 424 defined in the outersleeve portion 428 into alignment with the cam member 465 such that thecam member 465 can be pivoted inwardly toward the shaft frame 454 intoits first position. In various circumstances, the articulation driver460 can be resiliently flexed out of engagement with the firing member470 such that, when the cam member 465 is permitted to move back intoits first position, the articulation driver 460 can resiliently flexinwardly toward the shaft frame 454 to re-engage the proximal portion461 of the articulation driver 460 with the slot 476 defined in theintermediate portion 475 of the drive member 470. In variousembodiments, the surgical instrument 400 can further comprise a biasingmember which can be configured to bias the proximal portion 461 backinto engagement with the intermediate portion 475.

The reader will note that the intermediate portion 475 of the firingmember 470 has been retracted proximally in FIG. 27 such that the slot476 defined in the intermediate portion 475 is positioned proximallywith respect to the proximal portion 461 of the articulation driver 460.In such circumstances, as a result, the proximal portion 461 may not beoperably reconnected to the firing member 470 until the intermediateportion 475 is advanced distally to align the slot 476 with the proximalportion 461. Such circumstances may arise as a result of the relativeslip between the intermediation portion 475 and the cutting memberportion 472 of the firing member 470 created by the slip joint 471 whichcan be addressed by momentarily re-actuating the electric motor in thefirst direction, for example.

Referring again to FIG. 27, the firing member 470 may be in a retractedor reset position, however, the closure drive is still in an actuated,or closed, configuration which can prevent the anvil 420 from beingre-opened and the end effector 402 from being re-articulated. When theclosure drive is released, referring now to FIG. 28, the closure drivecarriage 415 can be retracted into a proximal position in which theclosure sleeve including portions 426 and 428 are pulled proximally aswell. Referring again to FIG. 19, the proximal sleeve portion 428 caninclude a proximal end 417 which can be engaged with the closure drivecarriage 415 such that the proximal sleeve portion 428 and the closuredrive carriage 415 move together in the distal direction and/or theproximal direction. In any event, further to the above, the proximalmovement of the distal sleeve portion 426 can cause the distal sidewallof the aperture 495 to engage the projection 496 extending from theanvil 420 in order to pivot the anvil 420 into its open position, asillustrated in FIG. 29. Furthermore, the proximal movement of theclosure drive carriage 415 can unlock the articulation lock actuator 409such that the articulation lock actuator 409 can be moved into isproximal, unlocked, position which can, as a result, pull thearticulation lock 443 proximally to compress the spring 444 and unlockthe end effector 402. As described above, the end effector 402 can bethen articulated about the articulation joint 410 and the operation ofthe surgical instrument 400 described above can be repeated. Referringprimarily to FIGS. 18-20, the handle 404 can further comprise a switch408 mounted to the handle frame 480 which can be configured to detectwhether the articulation lock actuator 409 is in its proximal, unlocked,position. In some embodiments, the switch 408 can be operably coupledwith an indicator in the handle 404, such as light, for example, whichcan indicate to the operator of the surgical instrument 400 that the endeffector 402 is in an unlocked condition and that the operator mayutilize the articulation switch to articulate the end effector 402, forexample.

As described above in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 17, thesurgical instrument 400 can comprise an articulation lock systemconfigured to lock and unlock the end effector 402 and a closure driveconfigured to open and close the anvil 420 of the end effector 402.Although these two systems of the surgical instrument 400 interact inseveral respects, which are described above, the systems can be actuatedindependently of one another in other respects. For instance, thearticulation lock actuator 409 and the end effector lock 443 can beactuated without closing the anvil 420. In this embodiment of thesurgical instrument 400, the closure drive is operated independently toclose the anvil 420. Turning now to FIGS. 30-32, the surgical instrument400 can include an alternate arrangement in which the closure drive isactuated to, one, close the anvil 420 and, two, lock the end effector402 in position. Referring primarily to FIGS. 31 and 32, the shaft 404can comprise an articulation lock bar 540 which can be moved between aproximal, unlocked, position (FIG. 31) in which the end effector 402 canbe articulated about the articulation joint 410 and a distal, locked,position (FIG. 32) in which the end effector 402 can be locked inposition. Similar to the articulation lock bar 440, the articulationlock bar 540 can include a distal end 542 which is operably engaged withthe articulation lock 443 such that, when the articulation lock bar 540is pulled proximally, the articulation lock 443 can be pulledproximally. Similarly, when the articulation lock bar 540 is pusheddistally, the articulation lock 443 can be pushed distally as well. Incontrast to the articulation lock bar 440 which is pushed distally andpulled proximally by the articulation lock actuator 409, as describedabove, the articulation lock bar 540 can be pushed distally and pulledproximally by the closure sleeve 428. More particularly, the proximalend 541 of the articulation lock bar 540 can comprise a hook 547 which,when the closure sleeve 428 is pulled proximally, can catch a portion ofthe closure sleeve 428 and be pulled proximally with the closure sleeve428. In such circumstances, the sleeve 428 can pull the articulationlock bar 540 into an unlocked condition. As the reader will note, theclosure sleeve 428 can include a window 549 within which the proximalend 541 of the articulation lock bar 540 can be positioned. When theclosure sleeve 428 is pushed distally, further to the above, a proximalsidewall 548 of the window 549 can contact the proximal end 541 and pushthe articulation lock bar 540 and the articulation lock 443 distally inorder to lock the end effector 402 in position.

As described herein, it may be desirable to employ surgical systems anddevices that may include reusable portions that are configured to beused with interchangeable surgical components. Referring to FIG. 33, forexample, there is shown a surgical system, generally designated as 1000,that, in at least one form, comprises a surgical instrument 1010 thatmay or may not be reused. The surgical instrument 1010 can be employedwith a plurality of interchangeable shaft assemblies 1200, 1200′, 1200″.The interchangeable shaft assemblies 1200, 1200′, 1200″ may have asurgical end effector 1300, 1300′, 1300″ operably coupled thereto thatis configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures. Forexample, each of the surgical end effectors 1300, 1300′, 1300″ maycomprise a surgical cutting and fastening device that is configured tooperably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. Each of the shaftassemblies may employ end effectors that are adapted to supportdifferent sizes and types of staple cartridges, have different shaftlengths, sizes, and types, etc. While the present Figures illustrate endeffectors that are configured to cut and staple tissue, various aspectsof the surgical system 1000 may also be effectively employed withsurgical instruments that are configured to apply other motions andforms of energy such as, for example, radio frequency (RF) energy,ultrasonic energy and/or motion, to interchangeable shaft-mounted endeffector arrangements that are used in various surgical applications andprocedures. Furthermore, the end effectors, shaft assemblies, handles,surgical instruments, and/or surgical instrument systems can utilize anysuitable fastener, or fasteners, to fasten tissue. For instance, afastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably storedtherein can be removably inserted into and/or attached to the endeffector of a shaft assembly. In various circumstances, a shaft assemblycan be selected to be attached to a handle of a surgical instrument anda fastener cartridge can be selected to be attached to the shaftassembly.

The surgical instrument 1010 depicted in the FIG. 33 comprises a housing1040 that consists of a handle 1042 that is configured to be grasped,manipulated and actuated by the clinician. As the present DetailedDescription proceeds, however, it will be understood that the variousunique and novel arrangements of the various forms of interchangeableshaft assemblies disclosed herein may also be effectively employed inconnection with robotically-controlled surgical systems. Thus, the term“housing” may also encompass a housing or similar portion of a roboticsystem that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drivesystem that is configured to generate and apply at least one controlmotion which could be used to actuate the interchangeable shaftassemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. The term“frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. Theterm “frame” may also represent a portion of a robotically controlledsurgical instrument and/or a portion of the robotic system that may beused to operably control a surgical instrument. For example, theinterchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be employed withvarious robotic systems, instruments, components and methods disclosedin U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTSWITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0298719, is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIG. 34 illustrates the surgical instrument 1010 with an interchangeableshaft assembly 1200 operably coupled thereto. In the illustrated form,the surgical instrument includes a handle 1042. In at least one form,the handle 1042 may comprise a pair of interconnectable housing segments1044, 1046 that may be interconnected by screws, snap features,adhesive, etc. See FIG. 35. In the illustrated arrangement, the handlehousing segments 1044, 1046 cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 1048that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As will bediscussed in further detail below, the handle 1042 operably supports aplurality of drive systems therein that are configured to generate andapply various control motions to corresponding portions of theinterchangeable shaft assembly that is operably attached thereto.

The handle 1042 may further include a frame 1080 that operably supportsa plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame 1080 can operablysupport a first or closure drive system, generally designated as 1050,which may be employed to apply a closing and opening motions to theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 that is operably attached or coupledthereto. In at least one form, the closure drive system 1050 may includean actuator in the form of a closure trigger 1052 that is pivotallysupported by the frame 1080. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG.35, the closure trigger 1052 may be pivotally supported by frame 1080such that when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 1048 of thehandle 1042, the closure trigger 1052 may be easily pivoted from astarting or unactuated position to an actuated position and moreparticularly to a fully compressed or fully actuated position. Theclosure trigger 1052 may be biased into the unactuated position byspring or other biasing arrangement (not shown). In various forms, theclosure drive system 1050 further includes a closure linkage assembly1060 that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger 1052. As can beseen in FIG. 35, the closure linkage assembly 1060 may include a closuretrigger 1052 that is pivotally coupled to a closure link 1064 that has apair of laterally extending attachment lugs or portions 1066 protrudingtherefrom. The closure link 1064 may also be referred to herein as an“attachment member”.

Still referring to FIG. 35, it can be observed that the closure trigger1052 may have a locking wall 1068 thereon that is configured tocooperate with a closure release assembly 1070 that is pivotally coupledto the frame 1080. In at least one form, the closure release assembly1070 may comprise a release button assembly 1072 that has a distallyprotruding cam follower arm 1074 formed thereon. The release buttonassembly 1072 may be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by arelease spring 1076. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger 1052from its unactuated position towards the pistol grip portion 1048 of thehandle 1042, the closure link 1062 pivots upward to a point wherein thecam follower arm 1072 drops into retaining engagement with the lockingwall 1068 on the closure link 1062 thereby preventing the closuretrigger 1052 from returning to the unactuated position. Thus, theclosure release assembly 1070 serves to lock the closure trigger 1052 inthe fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock theclosure trigger 1052 to permit it to be biased to the unactuatedposition, the clinician simply pivots the closure release buttonassembly 1072 such that the cam follower arm 1074 is moved out ofengagement with the locking wall 1068 on the closure trigger 1052. Whenthe cam follower arm 1074 has been moved out of engagement with theclosure trigger 1052, the closure trigger 1052 may pivot back to theunactuated position. Other closure trigger locking and releasearrangements may also be employed.

In at least one form, the handle 1042 and the frame 1080 may operablysupport another drive system referred to herein as firing drive system1100 that is configured to apply firing motions to correspondingportions of the interchangeable shaft assembly attached thereto. Thefiring drive system may also be referred to herein as a “second drivesystem”. The firing drive system 1100 may employ an electric motor 1102,located in the pistol grip portion 1048 of the handle 1042. In variousforms, the motor 1102 may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximumrotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In otherarrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor,a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electricmotor. A battery 1104 (or “power source” or “power pack”), such as a Liion battery, for example, may be coupled to the handle 1042 to supplypower to a control circuit board assembly 1106 and ultimately to themotor 1102. FIG. 34 illustrates a battery pack housing 1104 that isconfigured to be releasably mounted to the handle 1042 for supplyingcontrol power to the surgical instrument 1010. A number of battery cellsconnected in series may be used as the power source to power the motor.In addition, the power source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

As outlined above with respect to other various forms, the electricmotor 1102 can include a rotatable shaft (not shown) that operablyinterfaces with a gear reducer assembly 1108 that is mounted in meshingengagement with a with a set, or rack, of drive teeth 1112 on alongitudinally-movable drive member 1110. In use, a voltage polarityprovided by the battery can operate the electric motor 1102 in aclockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electricmotor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electricmotor 1102 in a counter-clockwise direction. When the electric motor1102 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1110 will be axiallydriven in the distal direction “D”. When the motor 1102 is driven in theopposite rotary direction, the drive member 1110 will be axially drivenin a proximal direction “P”. See, for example, FIG. 35. The handle 1042can include a switch which can be configured to reverse the polarityapplied to the electric motor 1102 by the battery. As with the otherforms described herein, the handle 1042 can also include a sensor thatis configured to detect the position of the drive member 1110 and/or thedirection in which the drive member 1110 is being moved.

Actuation of the motor 1102 can be controlled by a firing trigger 1120that is pivotally supported on the handle 1042. The firing trigger 1120may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position.The firing trigger 1120 may be biased into the unactuated position by aspring (not shown) or other biasing arrangement such that when theclinician releases the firing trigger 1120, it may be pivoted orotherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring or biasingarrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1120 can bepositioned “outboard” of the closure trigger 1052 as was discussedabove. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1122 may bepivotally mounted to the closure trigger 1052. As can be seen in FIGS.35 and 36, for example, the safety button 1122 may be positioned betweenthe firing trigger 1120 and the closure trigger 1052 and have a pivotarm 1124 protruding therefrom. As shown in FIG. 38, when the closuretrigger 1052 is in the unactuated position, the safety button 1122 iscontained in the handle housing where the clinician cannot readilyaccess it and move it between a safety position preventing actuation ofthe firing trigger 1120 and a firing position wherein the firing trigger1120 may be fired. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger 1052,the safety button 1122 and the firing trigger 1120 pivot down whereinthey can then be manipulated by the clinician.

As indicated above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movabledrive member 1110 has a rack of teeth 1112 formed thereon for meshingengagement with a corresponding drive gear 1114 of the gear reducerassembly 1108. At least one form may also include a manually-actuatable“bailout” assembly 1130 that is configured to enable the clinician tomanually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1110 should themotor become disabled. The bailout assembly 1130 may include a lever orbailout handle assembly 1132 that is configured to be manually pivotedinto ratcheting engagement with the teeth 1112 in the drive member 1110.Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member 1110 by usingthe bailout handle assembly 1132 to ratchet the drive member in theproximal direction “P”. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S.2010/0089970, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045, discloses bailoutarrangements and other components, arrangements and systems that mayalso be employed with the various instruments disclosed herein. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICALCUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0089970, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,608,045, is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIGS. 34 and 37 illustrate one form of interchangeable shaft assembly1200 that has, for example, a surgical end effector 1300 operablyattached thereto. The end effector 1300 as illustrated in those Figuresmay be configured to cut and staple tissue in the various mannersdisclosed herein. For example, the end effector 1300 may include achannel 1302 that is configured to support a surgical staple cartridge1304. The staple cartridge 1304 may comprise a removable staplecartridge 1304 such that it may be replaced when spent. However, thestaple cartridge in other arrangements may be configured such that onceinstalled within the channel 1302, it is not intended to be removedtherefrom. The channel 1032 and staple cartridge 1304 may becollectively referred to as a “first jaw portion” of the end effector1300. In various forms, the end effector 1300 may have a “second jawportion”, in the form of an anvil 1310, that is movably or pivotallysupported on the channel 1302 in the various manners discussed herein.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include a shaft 1210that includes a shaft frame 1212 that is coupled to a shaft attachmentmodule or shaft attachment portion 1220. In at least one form, aproximal end 1214 of the shaft frame 1212 may extend through a hollowcollar portion 1222 formed on the shaft attachment module 1220 and berotatably attached thereto. For example, an annular groove 1216 may beprovided in the proximal end 1214 of the shaft frame 1212 for engagementwith a U-shaped retainer 1226 that extends through a slot 1224 in theshaft attachment module 1220. Such arrangement enables the shaft frame1212 to be rotated relative to the shaft attachment module 1220.

The shaft assembly 1200 may further comprise a hollow outer sleeve orclosure tube 1250 through which the shaft frame 1212 extends. The outersleeve 1250 may also be referred to herein as a “first shaft” and/or a“first shaft assembly”. The outer sleeve 1250 has a proximal end 1252that is adapted to be rotatably coupled to a closure tube attachmentyoke 1260. As can be seen in FIG. 37, the proximal end 1252 of the outersleeve 1250 is configured to be received within a cradle 1262 in theclosure tube attachment yoke 1260. A U-shaped connector 1266 extendsthrough a slot 1264 in the closure tube attachment yoke 1260 to bereceived in an annular groove 1254 in the proximal end 1252 of the outersleeve 1250. Such arrangement serves to rotatably couple the outersleeve 1250 to the closure tube attachment yoke 1260 such that the outersleeve 1250 may rotate relative thereto.

As can be seen in FIGS. 38 and 39, the proximal end 1214 of the shaftframe 1214 protrudes proximally out of the proximal end 1252 of theouter sleeve 1250 and is rotatably coupled to the shaft attachmentmodule 1220 by the U-shaped retainer 1226 (shown in FIG. 38). Theclosure tube attachment yoke 1260 is configured to be slidably receivedwithin a passage 1268 in the shaft attachment module 1220. Sucharrangement permits the outer sleeve 1250 to be axially moved in theproximal direction “P” and the distal direction “D” on the shaft frame1212 relative to the shaft attachment module 1220 as will be discussedin further detail below.

In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 mayfurther include an articulation joint 1350. Other interchangeable shaftassemblies, however, may not be capable of articulation. As can be seenin FIG. 37, for example, the articulation joint 1350 includes a doublepivot closure sleeve assembly 1352. According to various forms, thedouble pivot closure sleeve assembly 1352 includes a shaft closuresleeve assembly 1354 having upper and lower distally projecting tangs1356, 1358. An end effector closure sleeve assembly 1354 includes ahorseshoe aperture 1360 and a tab 1362 for engaging an opening tab onthe anvil 1310 in the manner described above. As described above, thehorseshoe aperture 1360 and tab 1362 engage the anvil tab when the anvil1310 is opened. An upper double pivot link 1364 includes upwardlyprojecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage respectively anupper distal pin hole in the upper proximally projecting tang 1356 andan upper proximal pin hole in an upper distally projecting tang 1256 onthe outer sleeve 1250. A lower double pivot link 1366 includesdownwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engagerespectively a lower distal pin hole in the lower proximally projectingtang 1358 and a lower proximal pin hole in the lower distally projectingtang 1258.

In use, the closure sleeve assembly 1354 is translated distally(direction “D”) to close the anvil 1310, for example, in response to theactuation of the closure trigger 1052. The anvil 1310 is closed bydistally translating the outer sleeve 1250, and thus the shaft closuresleeve assembly 1354, causing it to strike a proximal surface on theanvil 1310 in the manner described above. As was also described above,the anvil 1310 is opened by proximally translating the outer sleeve 1250and the shaft closure sleeve assembly 1354, causing tab 1362 and thehorseshoe aperture 1360 to contact and push against the anvil tab tolift the anvil 1310. In the anvil-open position, the shaft closuresleeve assembly 1352 is moved to its proximal position.

In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 furtherincludes a firing member 1270 that is supported for axial travel withinthe shaft frame 1212. The firing member 1270 includes an intermediatefiring shaft portion 1272 that is configured for attachment to a distalcutting portion 1280. The firing member 1270 may also be referred toherein as a “second shaft” and/or a “second shaft assembly”. As can beseen in FIG. 37, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1272 may includea longitudinal slot 1274 in the distal end thereof which can beconfigured to receive the proximal end 1282 of the distal cuttingportion 1280. The longitudinal slot 1274 and the proximal end 1282 canbe sized and configured to permit relative movement therebetween and cancomprise a slip joint 1276. The slip joint 1276 can permit theintermediate firing shaft portion 1272 of the firing drive 1270 to bemoved to articulate the end effector 1300 without moving, or at leastsubstantially moving, the distal cutting portion 1280. Once the endeffector 1300 has been suitably oriented, the intermediate firing shaftportion 1272 can be advanced distally until a proximal sidewall of thelongitudinal slot 1272 comes into contact with the proximal end 1282 inorder to advance the distal cutting portion 1280 and fire the staplecartridge positioned within the channel 1302, as described herein. Ascan be further seen in FIG. 37, the shaft frame 1212 has an elongateopening or window 1213 therein to facilitate assembly and insertion ofthe intermediate firing shaft portion 1272 into the shaft frame 1212.Once the intermediate firing shaft portion 1272 has been insertedtherein, a top frame segment 1215 may be engaged with the shaft frame1212 to enclose the intermediate firing shaft portion 1272 and distalcutting portion 1280 therein. The reader will also note that thearticulation joint 1350 can further include a guide 1368 which can beconfigured to receive the distal cutting portion 1280 of the firingmember 1270 therein and guide the distal cutting portion 1280 as it isadvanced distally and/or retracted proximally within and/or relative tothe articulation joint 1350.

As can be seen in FIG. 37, the shaft attachment module 1220 may furtherinclude a latch actuator assembly 1230 that may be removably attached tothe shaft attachment module by cap screws (not shown) or other suitablefasteners. The latch actuator assembly 1230 is configured to cooperatewith a lock yoke 1240 that is pivotally coupled to the shaft attachmentmodule 1220 for selective pivotal travel relative thereto. See FIG. 41.Referring to FIG. 39, the lock yoke 1240 may include two proximallyprotruding lock lugs 1242 (FIG. 37) that are configured for releasableengagement with corresponding lock detents or grooves 1086 formed in aframe attachment module portion 1084 of the frame 1080 as will bediscussed in further detail below. The lock yoke 1240 is substantiallyU-shaped and is installed over the latch actuator assembly 1230 afterthe latch actuator assembly 1230 has been coupled to the shaftattachment module 1220. The latch actuator assembly 1230 may have anarcuate body portion 1234 that provides sufficient clearance for thelock yoke 1240 to pivot relative thereto between latched and unlatchedpositions.

In various forms, the lock yoke 1240 is biased in the proximal directionby spring or biasing member (not shown). Stated another way, the lockyoke 1240 is biased into the latched position (FIG. 40) and can bepivoted to an unlatched position (FIG. 41) by a latch button 1236 thatis movably supported on the latch actuator assembly 1230. In at leastone arrangement, for example, the latch button 1236 is slidably retainedwithin a latch housing portion 1235 and is biased in the proximaldirection “P” by a latch spring or biasing member (not shown). As willbe discussed in further detail below, the latch button 1236 has adistally protruding release lug 1237 that is designed to engage the lockyoke 1240 and pivot it from the latched position to the unlatchedposition shown in FIG. 41 upon actuation of the latch button 1236.

The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include a nozzleassembly 1290 that is rotatably supported on the shaft attachment module1220. In at least one form, for example, the nozzle assembly 1290 can becomprised of two nozzle halves, or portions, 1292, 1294 that may beinterconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. When mounted onthe shaft attachment module 1220, the nozzle assembly 1290 may interfacewith the outer sleeve 1250 and shaft frame 1212 to enable the clinicianto selectively rotate the shaft 1210 relative to the shaft attachmentmodule 1220 about a shaft axis SA-SA which may be defined for example,the axis of the firing member assembly 1270. In particular, a portion ofthe nozzle assembly 1290 may extend through a window 1253 in the outersleeve to engage a notch 1218 in the shaft frame 1212. See FIG. 37.Thus, rotation of the nozzle assembly 1290 will result in rotation ofthe shaft frame 1212 and outer sleeve 1250 about axis A-A relative tothe shaft attachment module 1220.

Referring now to FIGS. 42 and 43, the reader will observe that the frameattachment module portion 1084 of the frame 1080 is formed with twoinwardly facing dovetail receiving slots 1088. Each dovetail receivingslot 1088 may be tapered or, stated another way, be somewhat V-shaped.See, for example, FIGS. 36 and 38 (only one of the slots 1088 is shown).The dovetail receiving slots 1088 are configured to releasably receivecorresponding tapered attachment or lug portions 1229 of aproximally-extending connector portion 1228 of the shaft attachmentmodule 1220. As can be further seen in FIGS. 37-39, a shaft attachmentlug 1278 is formed on the proximal end 1277 of the intermediate firingshaft 1272. As will be discussed in further detail below, when theinterchangeable shaft assembly 1200 is coupled to the handle 1042, theshaft attachment lug 1278 is received in a firing shaft attachmentcradle 1113 formed in the distal end 1111 of the longitudinal drivemember 1110. Also, the closure tube attachment yoke 1260 includes aproximally-extending yoke portion 1265 that includes two capture slots1267 that open downwardly to capture the attachment lugs 1066 on theclosure attachment bar 1064.

Attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1220 to the handle 1042will now be described with reference to FIGS. 44-48. In various forms,the frame 1080 or at least one of the drive systems define an actuationaxis AA-AA. For example, the actuation axis AA-AA may be defined by theaxis of the longitudinally-movable drive member 1110. As such, when theintermediate firing shaft 1272 is operably coupled to the longitudinallymovable drive member 1110, the actuation axis AA-AA is coaxial with theshaft axis SA-SA as shown in FIG. 48.

To commence the coupling process, the clinician may position the shaftattachment module 1220 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 aboveor adjacent to the frame attachment module portion 1084 of the frame1080 such that the attachment lugs 1229 formed on the connector portion1228 of the shaft attachment module 1220 are aligned with the dovetailslots 1088 in the attachment module portion 1084 as shown in FIG. 45.The clinician may then move the shaft attachment module 1220 along aninstallation axis IA-IA that is substantially transverse to theactuation axis AA-AA. Stated another way, the shaft attachment module1220 is moved in an installation direction “ID” that is substantiallytransverse to the actuation axis AA-AA until the attachment lugs 1229 ofthe connector portion 1228 are seated in “operable engagement” with thecorresponding dovetail receiving slots 1088. See FIGS. 44 and 46. FIG.47 illustrates the position of the shaft attachment module 1220 prior tothe shaft attachment lug 1278 on the intermediate firing shaft 1272entering the cradle 1113 in the longitudinally movable drive member 1110and the attachment lugs 1066 on the closure attachment bar 1064 enteringthe corresponding slots 1267 in the yoke portion 1265 of the closuretube attachment yoke 1260. FIG. 48 illustrates the position of the shaftattachment module 1220 after the attachment process has been completed.As can be seen in that Figure, the lugs 1066 (only one is shown) areseated in operable engagement in their respective slots 1267 in the yokeportion 1265 of the closure tube attachment yoke 1260. As used herein,the term “operable engagement” in the context of two components meansthat the two components are sufficiently engaged with each other so thatupon application of an actuation motion thereto, the components maycarry out their intended action, function and/or procedure.

As discussed above, referring again to FIGS. 44-49, at least fivesystems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can be operablycoupled with at least five corresponding systems of the handle 1042. Afirst system can comprise a frame system which couples and/or aligns theframe of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame of the handle 1042. Asoutlined above, the connector portion 1228 of the shaft assembly 1200can be engaged with the attachment module portion 1084 of the handleframe 1080. A second system can comprise a closure drive system whichcan operably connect the closure trigger 1052 of the handle 1042 and theclosure tube 1250 and the anvil 1310 of the shaft assembly 1200. Asoutlined above, the closure tube attachment yoke 1260 of the shaftassembly 1200 can be engaged with the attachment lugs 1066 of the handle1042. A third system can comprise a firing drive system which canoperably connect the firing trigger 1120 of the handle 1042 with theintermediate firing shaft 1272 of the shaft assembly 1200. As outlinedabove, the shaft attachment lug 1278 can be operably connected with thecradle 1113 of the longitudinal drive member 1110. A fourth system cancomprise an electrical system which can, one, signal to a controller inthe handle 1042, such as microcontroller 7004, for example, that a shaftassembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, has been operablyengaged with the handle 1042 and/or, two, conduct power and/orcommunication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and the handle1042. For instance, the shaft assembly 1200 can include six electricalcontacts and the electrical connector 4000 can also include sixelectrical contacts wherein each electrical contact on the shaftassembly 1200 can be paired and mated with an electrical contact on theelectrical connector 4000 when the shaft assembly 1200 is assembled tothe handle 1042. The shaft assembly 1200 can also include a latch 1236which can be part of a fifth system, such as a lock system, which canreleasably lock the shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1042. In variouscircumstances, the latch 1236 can close a circuit in the handle 1042,for example, when the latch 1236 is engaged with the handle 1042.

Further to the above, the frame system, the closure drive system, thefiring drive system, and the electrical system of the shaft assembly1200 can be assembled to the corresponding systems of the handle 1042 ina transverse direction, i.e., along axis IA-IA, for example. In variouscircumstances, the frame system, the closure drive system, and thefiring drive system of the shaft assembly 1200 can be simultaneouslycoupled to the corresponding systems of the handle 1042. In certaincircumstances, two of the frame system, the closure drive system, andthe firing drive system of the shaft assembly 1200 can be simultaneouslycoupled to the corresponding systems of the handle 1042. In at least onecircumstance, the frame system can be at least initially coupled beforethe closure drive system and the firing drive system are coupled. Insuch circumstances, the frame system can be configured to align thecorresponding components of the closure drive system and the firingdrive system before they are coupled as outlined above. In variouscircumstances, the electrical system portions of the housing assembly1200 and the handle 1042 can be configured to be coupled at the sametime that the frame system, the closure drive system, and/or the firingdrive system are finally, or fully, seated. In certain circumstances,the electrical system portions of the housing assembly 1200 and thehandle 1042 can be configured to be coupled before the frame system, theclosure drive system, and/or the firing drive system are finally, orfully, seated. In some circumstances, the electrical system portions ofthe housing assembly 1200 and the handle 1042 can be configured to becoupled after the frame system has been at least partially coupled, butbefore the closure drive system and/or the firing drive system are havebeen coupled. In various circumstances, the locking system can beconfigured such that it is the last system to be engaged, i.e., afterthe frame system, the closure drive system, the firing drive system, andthe electrical system have all been engaged.

As outlined above, referring again to FIGS. 44-49, the electricalconnector 4000 of the handle 1042 can comprise a plurality of electricalcontacts. Turning now to FIG. 51, the electrical connector 4000 cancomprise a first contact 4001 a, a second contact 4001 b, a thirdcontact 4001 c, a fourth contact 4001 d, a fifth contact 4001 e, and asixth contact 4001 f, for example. While the illustrated embodimentutilizes six contacts, other embodiments are envisioned which mayutilize more than six contacts or less than six contacts. As illustratedin FIG. 51, the first contact 4001 a can be in electrical communicationwith a transistor 4008, contacts 4001 b-4001 e can be in electricalcommunication with a microcontroller 7004, and the sixth contact 4001 fcan be in electrical communication with a ground. Microcontroller 7004is discussed in greater detail further below. In certain circumstances,one or more of the electrical contacts 4001 b-4001 e may be inelectrical communication with one or more output channels of themicrocontroller 7004 and can be energized, or have a voltage potentialapplied thereto, when the handle 1042 is in a powered state. In somecircumstances, one or more of the electrical contacts 4001 b-4001 e maybe in electrical communication with one or more input channels of themicrocontroller 7004 and, when the handle 1042 is in a powered state,the microcontroller 7004 can be configured to detect when a voltagepotential is applied to such electrical contacts. When a shaft assembly,such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, is assembled to the handle1042, the electrical contacts 4001 a-4001 f may not communicate witheach other. When a shaft assembly is not assembled to the handle 1042,however, the electrical contacts 4001 a-4001 f of the electricalconnector 4000 may be exposed and, in some circumstances, one or more ofthe contacts 4001 a-4001 f may be accidentally placed in electricalcommunication with each other. Such circumstances can arise when one ormore of the contacts 4001 a-4001 f come into contact with anelectrically conductive material, for example. When this occurs, themicrocontroller 7004 can receive an erroneous input and/or the shaftassembly 1200 can receive an erroneous output, for example. To addressthis issue, in various circumstances, the handle 1042 may be unpoweredwhen a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, is notattached to the handle 1042. In other circumstances, the handle 1042 canbe powered when a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, forexample, is not attached thereto. In such circumstances, themicrocontroller 7004 can be configured to ignore inputs, or voltagepotentials, applied to the contacts in electrical communication with themicrocontroller 7004, i.e., contacts 4001 b-4001 e, for example, until ashaft assembly is attached to the handle 1042. Eventhough themicrocontroller 7004 may be supplied with power to operate otherfunctionalities of the handle 1042 in such circumstances, the handle1042 may be in a powered-down state. In a way, the electrical connector4000 may be in a powered-down state as voltage potentials applied to theelectrical contacts 4001 b-4001 e may not affect the operation of thehandle 1042. The reader will appreciate that, eventhough contacts 4001b-4001 e may be in a powered-down state, the electrical contacts 4001 aand 4001 f, which are not in electrical communication with themicrocontroller 7004, may or may not be in a powered-down state. Forinstance, sixth contact 4001 f may remain in electrical communicationwith a ground regardless of whether the handle 1042 is in a powered-upor a powered-down state. Furthermore, the transistor 4008, and/or anyother suitable arrangement of transistors, such as transistor 4010, forexample, and/or switches may be configured to control the supply ofpower from a power source 4004, such as a battery 1104 within the handle1042, for example, to the first electrical contact 4001 a regardless ofwhether the handle 1042 is in a powered-up or a powered-down state asoutlined above. In various circumstances, the latch 1236 of the shaftassembly 1200, for example, can be configured to change the state of thetransistor 4008 when the latch 1236 is engaged with the handle 1042. Invarious circumstances, as described elsewhere herein, the latch 1236 canbe configured to close a circuit when it engages the handle 1042 and, asa result, affect the state of the transistor 4008. In certaincircumstances, further to the below, a Hall effect sensor 4002 can beconfigured to switch the state of transistor 4010 which, as a result,can switch the state of transistor 4008 and ultimately supply power frompower source 4004 to first contact 4001 a. In this way, further to theabove, both the power circuits and the signal circuits to the connector4000 can be powered down when a shaft assembly is not installed to thehandle 1042 and powered up when a shaft assembly is installed to thehandle 1042.

In various circumstances, referring again to FIG. 51, the handle 1042can include the Hall effect sensor 4002, for example, which can beconfigured to detect a detectable element, such as a magnetic element,for example, on a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, forexample, when the shaft assembly is coupled to the handle 1042. The Halleffect sensor 4002 can be powered by a power source 4006, such as abattery, for example, which can, in effect, amplify the detection signalof the Hall effect sensor 4002 and communicate with an input channel ofthe microcontroller 7004 via the circuit illustrated in FIG. 51. Oncethe microcontroller 7004 has a received an input indicating that a shaftassembly has been at least partially coupled to the handle 1042, andthat, as a result, the electrical contacts 4001 a-4001 f are no longerexposed, the microcontroller 7004 can enter into its normal, orpowered-up, operating state. In such an operating state, themicrocontroller 7004 will evaluate the signals transmitted to one ormore of the contacts 4001 b-4001 e from the shaft assembly and/ortransmit signals to the shaft assembly through one or more of thecontacts 4001 b-4001 e in normal use thereof. In various circumstances,the shaft assembly 1200 may have to be fully seated before the Halleffect sensor 4002 can detect the magnetic element. While a Hall effectsensor 4002 can be utilized to detect the presence of the shaft assembly1200, any suitable system of sensors and/or switches can be utilized todetect whether a shaft assembly has been assembled to the handle 1042,for example. In this way, further to the above, both the power circuitsand the signal circuits to the connector 4000 can be powered down when ashaft assembly is not installed to the handle 1042 and powered up when ashaft assembly is installed to the handle 1042.

In various embodiments, any number of magnetic sensing elements may beemployed to detect whether a shaft assembly has been assembled to thehandle 1042, for example. For example, the technologies used formagnetic field sensing include search coil, fluxgate, optically pumped,nuclear precession, SQUID, Hall-effect, anisotropic magnetoresistance,giant magnetoresistance, magnetic tunnel junctions, giantmagnetoimpedance, magnetostrictive/piezoelectric composites,magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, fiber optic, magnetooptic, andmicroelectromechanical systems-based magnetic sensors, among others.

After the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 has been operably coupledto the handle 1042, actuation of the closure trigger 1052 will result inthe distal axial advancement of the outer sleeve 1250 and the shaftclosure sleeve assembly 1354 coupled thereto to actuate the anvil 1310in the various manners disclosed herein. As can also be seen in FIG. 48,the firing member 1270 in the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 iscoupled to the longitudinally movable drive member 1110 in the handle1042. More specifically, the shaft attachment lug 1278 formed on theproximal end 1277 of the intermediate firing shaft 1272 is receivewithin the firing shaft attachment cradle 1113 formed in the distal end1111 of the longitudinally movable drive member 1110. Thus, actuation ofthe firing trigger 1120 which results in powering of the motor 1102 toaxially advance the longitudinally movable drive member 1110 will alsocause the firing member 1270 to axially move within the shaft frame1212. Such action will cause the advancement of the distal cuttingportion 1280 through the tissue clamped in the end effector 1300 in thevarious manners disclosed herein. Although not observable in FIG. 48,those of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that when in thecoupled position depicted in that Figure, the attachment lug portions1229 of the shaft attachment module 1220 are seated within theirrespective dovetail receiving slots 1088 in the attachment moduleportion 1084 of the frame 1080. Thus, the shaft attachment module 1220is coupled to the frame 1080. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 48(but which can be seen in FIG. 40), when the shaft attachment module1220 has been coupled to the frame 1080, the lock lugs 1242 on the lockyoke 1240 are seated within their respective lock grooves 1086 (only oneis shown in FIG. 40) in the attachment module portion 1084 of the frame1080 to releasably retain the shaft attachment module 1220 in coupledoperable engagement with the frame 1080.

To detach the interchangeable shaft assembly 1220 from the frame 1080,the clinician pushes the latch button 1236 in the distal direction “D”to cause the lock yoke 1240 to pivot as shown in FIG. 41. Such pivotalmovement of the lock yoke 1240 causes the lock lugs 1242 thereon to moveout of retaining engagement with the lock grooves 1086. The clinicianmay then move the shaft attachment module 1220 away from the handle in adisconnecting direction “DD” as shown in FIG. 49.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the shaftattachment module 1220 may also be held stationary and the handle 1042moved along the installation axis IA-IA that is substantially transverseto the shaft axis SA-SA to bring the lugs 1229 on the connector portion1228 into seating engagement with the dovetail slots 1088. It will befurther understood that the shaft attachment module 1220 and the handle1042 may be simultaneously moved toward each other along theinstallation axis IA-IA that is substantially transverse to the shaftaxis SA-SA and the actuation axis AA-AA.

As used herein, the phrase, “substantially transverse to the actuationaxis and/or to the shaft axis” refers to a direction that is nearlyperpendicular to the actuation axis and/or shaft axis. It will beappreciated, however, that directions that deviate some fromperpendicular to the actuation axis and/or the shaft axis are alsosubstantially transverse to those axes. Using the physical properties ofthe instruments disclosed herein, turning now to FIGS. 52 and 53, acontroller, such as microcontroller 7004, for example, can be designedto simulate the response of the actual system of the instrument in thesoftware of the controller. The simulated response is compared to a(noisy and discrete) measured response of the actual system to obtain an“observed” response, which is used for actual feedback decisions. Theobserved response is a favorable, tuned, value that balances the smooth,continuous nature of the simulated response with the measured response,which can detect outside influences on the system. With regard to FIGS.52 and 53, a firing element, or cutting element, in the end effector1300 of the shaft assembly 1200 can be moved at or near a targetvelocity, or speed. The systems disclosed in FIGS. 52 and 53 can beutilized to move the cutting element at a target velocity. The systemscan include a feedback controller 4200, which can be one of any feedbackcontrollers, including, but not limited to a PID, a State Feedback, LQR,and/or an Adaptive controller, for example. The systems can furtherinclude a power source. The power source can convert the signal from thefeedback controller 4200 into a physical input to the system, in thiscase voltage, for example. Other examples include, but are not limitedto, pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage, frequency modulated voltage,current, torque, and/or force, for example.

With continued reference to FIGS. 52 and 53, the physical systemreferred to therein is the actual drive system of the instrumentconfigured to drive the firing member, or cutting member. One example isa brushed DC motor with gearbox and mechanical links to an articulationand/or knife system. Another example is the motor 1102 disclosed hereinthat operates the firing member 10060 and the articulation driver 10030,for example, of an interchangeable shaft assembly. The outside influence4201 referred to in FIGS. 52 and 53 is the unmeasured, unpredictableinfluence of things like tissue, surrounding bodies and friction on thephysical system, for example. Such outside influence can be referred toas drag and can be represented by a motor 4202 which acts in oppositionto the motor 1102, for example. In various circumstances, outsideinfluence, such as drag, is the primary cause for deviation of thesimulation of the physical system from the actual physical system. Thesystems depicted in FIGS. 52 and 53 and further discussed below canaddress the differences between the predicted behavior of the firingmember, or cutting member, and the actual behavior of the firing member,or cutting member.

With continued reference to FIGS. 52 and 53, the discrete sensorreferred to therein measures physical parameters of the actual physicalsystem. One embodiment of such a discrete sensor can include theabsolute positioning sensor 7102 and system described herein. As theoutput of such a discrete sensor can be a digital signal (or connectedto a digital data acquisition system) its output may have finiteresolution and sampling frequency. The output of the discrete sensor canbe supplied to a microcontroller, such as microcontroller 7004, forexample. In various circumstances, the microcontroller can combine thesimulated, or estimated, response with the measured response. In certaincircumstances, it may be useful to use enough measured response toensure that the outside influence is accounted for without making theobserved response unusably noisy. Examples for algorithms that do soinclude a weighted average and/or a theoretical control loop that drivesthe simulated response towards the measured response, for example.Ultimately, further to the above, the simulation of the physical systemtakes in account of properties like mass, inertial, viscous friction,and/or inductance resistance, for example, to predict what the statesand outputs of the physical system will be by knowing the input. FIG. 53shows an addition of evaluating and measuring the current supplied tooperate the actual system, which is yet another parameter that can beevaluated for controlling the speed of the cutting member, or firingmember, of the shaft assembly 1200, for example. By measuring current inaddition to or in lieu of measuring the voltage, in certaincircumstances, the physical system can be made more accurate.Nonetheless, the ideas disclosed herein can be extended to themeasurement of other state parameters of other physical systems.

A control system, such as the control system illustrated in FIG. 54and/or FIG. 57, for example, can be utilized to control any of thesurgical instruments disclosed herein. In various circumstances, thecontrol system can comprise a microcontroller, such as microcontroller7004, for example, which can be configured to operate the varioussystems of a surgical instrument. Further to the above, the controlsystem can comprise assembly detection means for detecting whether ashaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, for example, has beenassembled, or at least partially assembled, to the handle 1042. Suchassembly detection means can comprise the Hall effect sensor 4002described above, for example, and means for maintaining the handle 1042in a powered-down condition if the shaft assembly is not assembled tothe handle 1042, and means for maintaining the handle 1042 in apowered-up condition if the shaft assembly is assembled to the handle1042, further to the above. As outlined above, the microcontroller 7004,for example, can include such means. The control system can furthercomprise power communication means for communicating electrical power toand/or from the shaft assembly and/or signal communication means forcommunicating communication signals to and/or from the shaft assembly.Such power communication means and signal communication means cancomprise the electrical connector 4000, a corresponding electricalconnector on the shaft assembly, and/or the microcontroller 7004, forexample.

With further reference to FIGS. 54 and 57, the control system canfurther comprise at least one closure trigger switch and at least oneclosure trigger circuit which can be configured to communicate to themicrocontroller 7004, and/or be interpreted by the microcontroller 7004,that the closure trigger 1052, discussed above, has been closed. Variousswitches can include a potentiometer and/or a Hall effect sensor, forexample. The control system can further comprise unclosed operatingmeans for operating the surgical instrument in an unclosed operatingcondition when the closure trigger 1052 is in an unclosed position andclosed operating means for operating the surgical instrument in a closedoperating condition when the closure trigger 1052 is in a closedposition. The control system can comprise a power supply, such asbattery 1104, for example, and means for distributing power from thepower supply throughout the control system. The control system cancomprise a motor, such as motor 1102, for example, a motor power switch,such as firing trigger 1120, for example, and motor operating means foroperating the motor 1102 in a desired way, as described elsewhereherein. Such motor operating means, in certain circumstances, can beconfigured to control the motor 1102 utilizing pulse width modulated(PWM) voltage control, for example. Moreover, PWM voltage control can beutilized to control the speed of the firing members 1272 and 1280, forexample. In the unclosed operating condition of the surgical instrument,in some circumstances, the battery 1104 may be disconnected from themotor 1102 while, in certain circumstances, a motor controller can beconfigured to prevent the operation of the motor 1102 eventhoughelectrical power may be supplied to the motor 1102 until themicrocontroller 7004 detects the closure of the closure trigger 1052. Insuch circumstances, the microcontroller 7004 can then operate thesurgical instrument in its closed operating state. In the closedoperating state, power can be supplied to the motor 1102 and the motorcontroller can be configured to operate the motor 1102 in response tothe operation of the firing trigger 1120. FIGS. 58-60 illustrate variousoperations for operating the motor 1102 and the firing members 1272 and1280, for example.

With further reference to FIGS. 54 and 57, the control system cancomprise a 12-bit magnetic rotary encoder, for example, and can beconfigured to monitor the position of the firing members 1272 and 1280.In various circumstances, the control system can include the absolutepositioning sensor 7102 and the sensing system described above tomonitor the position of the firing members 1272 and 1280. The controlsystem can also comprise manual drive means for manually moving thefiring members 1272 and 1280 and/or means for operating another systemof the surgical instrument in light of the operation of the manual drivemeans. For instance, the manual drive means may comprise amanually-actuatable bailout assembly 1130, for example, which isdescribed above. Also, for instance, the operation of the manual drivemeans may electrically deactivate the motor 1102. In some circumstances,the operation of the manual drive means can disconnect the battery 1104from the motor 1102. In certain circumstances, the operation of themanual drive means can be detected by a motor controller which can beconfigured to prevent the operation of the motor 1102 eventhoughelectrical power may be supplied to the motor 1102. In variouscircumstances, the motor controller can comprise the microcontroller7004, for example.

With further reference to FIGS. 54 and 57, the control system canfurther comprise communication means for communicating with the operatorof the instrument. In various circumstances, the communication means cancomprise one or more light emitting diode (LED) lights, for example, onthe handle 1042, for example, which can be configured to communicate tothe operator of the surgical instrument that the surgical instrument isin a particular operating condition, for example. In at least onecircumstance, the handle 1042 can include a green LED light, forexample, which, when lit, can indicate that the surgical instrument isin an assembled, closed, and powered-up condition, for example. In suchcircumstances, the lit green LED light can indicate that the surgicalinstrument is ready for use. The handle 1042 can include a red LEDlight, for example, which, when lit, can indicate that the surgicalinstrument is in either an unassembled, unclosed, and/or powered-downcondition. In such circumstances, the lit red LED light can indicatethat the surgical instrument is not ready for use. Further to the above,the LED lights can be in electrical communication with output channelsof the microcontroller 7004 wherein the microcontroller 7004 can beconfigured to determine and/or set the operating condition of thesurgical instrument and communicate that condition through the LEDlights, for example. In some circumstances, the communication means caninclude a display screen on the handle 1042, for example, which can beconfigured to communicate information to the operator of the surgicalinstrument. Further to the above, the microcontroller 7004 can be inelectrical communication with the display screen to communicate theoperating condition of the surgical instrument, for example.

With further reference to FIGS. 54 and 57, and with additional referenceto FIGS. 55 and 56, the control system can comprise a plurality ofswitches in electrical communication with the microcontroller 7004, forexample. The switches can include the switches discussed above and/or inconnection with any system and/or subsystem of the surgical instrumentdescribed herein. The switches can comprise a switch array which can beincluded in a switch circuit in electrical communication with themicrocontroller 7004, for example. In certain circumstances, the switchcircuit can include a 16-bit I/O encoder, for example, which cancommunicate with the microcontroller 7004. Moreover, the switch circuitcan comprise a bus which is in electrical communication with themicrocontroller 7004 and one or more contacts in the electricalconnector 4000. Ultimately, then, the switch circuit and the switcharray can span the handle 1042 and the shaft assembly 1200, for example.In various circumstances, the microcontroller 7004 can be configured toidentify the shaft assembly attached to the handle 1042 and adjust thelength of the firing stroke applied to the firing members 1272 and 1280,for example. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,629, entitledCONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Apr. 25, 2017,is incorporated by reference herein.

A surgical instrument 18000 is illustrated in FIG. 61. The surgicalinstrument 18000 is similar to the surgical instrument 400 in manyrespects. The surgical instrument 18000 comprises a handle 18100, ashaft 18200 extending from the handle 18100, and an end effector 18300extending from the shaft 18200. The end effector 18300 comprises a firstjaw 18310 and a second jaw 18320, where the first jaw 18310 is movablebetween an open, clamped position and a closed, clamped position toclamp tissue between the first jaw 18310 and the second jaw 18320.Moreover, the end effector 18300 is rotatably attached to the shaft18200 about an articulation joint 18400. The handle 18100 comprises aframe 18110 and a housing 18120. The handle 18100 also comprises a grip18130, a closing actuator 18140 operable to actuate an end effectorclosure system, and a firing actuator 18150 operable to actuate a staplefiring system. The handle 18100 also comprises an articulation actuatoroperable to actuate an end effector articulation system. The second jaw18320 comprises a replaceable staple cartridge 18500 including staplesremovably stored therein and the first jaw 18310 comprises an anvilconfigured to deform the staples. The surgical instrument 18000 alsocomprises an electric motor which is configured to drive the staplefiring system of the surgical instrument 18000. Various staple firingsystems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS,which issued on Feb. 21, 2006, and is herein incorporated by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 62, a staple cartridge 18500 comprises a cartridgebody 18510 comprising a longitudinal slot 18520, a proximal end 18530,and a distal end 18540. The staple cartridge 18500 further comprises aplurality of staple cavities 18222 defined the cartridge body 18510 andstaples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge18500 further comprises a sled 18550 (FIG. 69) movable distally by thestaple firing system during a staple firing stroke to drive the staplesupwardly out of the staple cavities 18222 and into the tissue of apatient. The staple cartridge 18500 further comprises a removable staplecartridge retainer, or cover, 18570 (FIG. 70) which extends over thestaple cavities and protects the staples. Referring to FIG. 70, thecover comprises an elongate body, flexible latch arms 18574 extendingfrom the body that releasably grip the cartridge body 18510, and alongitudinal fin 18572 extending into the longitudinal slot 18520. Inmany instances, the staple cartridge cover 18570 acts as a protectivebarrier between the clinician and the staples of the staple cartridge18500. In various instances, the staple cartridge cover 18570 allows aclinician to place their thumb, for instance, on top of the staplecartridge 18500 to seat the staple cartridge 18500 in the second jaw18320 without contacting the staples. Once the staple cartridge 18500has been seated in the second jaw 18320, the cartridge cover 18570 isremoved and the surgical instrument 18000 can then be inserted into apatient. If the cartridge cover 18570 is not removed after the staplecartridge 18500 has been installed, however, the cartridge cover 18570will block the staples from properly contacting the anvil of the firstjaw 18310.

The surgical instrument 18000 further comprises a controller including amicroprocessor. The surgical instrument 18000 also further comprises anRFID system in communication with the controller. The RFID systemcomprises one or more RFID readers and one or more RFID tags, as will bediscussed in greater detail below. In various embodiments, an RFIDsystem is configured to determine whether a staple cartridge ispositioned in the surgical instrument and/or whether the staplecartridge is an appropriate staple cartridge for use with the surgicalinstrument. Such an RFID system can also determine whether the staplecartridge includes the correct components intended for that staplecartridge. If the controller determines that the staple cartridge isappropriate and the components within the staple cartridge are correct,the surgical instrument 18000 can be used as intended. If the controllerdetermines that the staple cartridge is not appropriate or that one ormore of the components within the staple cartridge are incorrect, thecontroller can limit the operation of the surgical instrument in someway. In such instances, for example, the controller can permit the endeffector to be opened and closed and/or permit the end effector to bearticulated, but prevent the staple firing stroke from being performed.An RFID system can also be used to determine whether the staplecartridge has been properly positioned within a staple cartridgesupport. For example, the RFID system can indicate whether the proximalend of the staple cartridge and/or the distal end of the staplecartridge is properly seated within a staple cartridge channel and, ifone of the ends of the staple cartridge has not been fully seated, thecontroller can prevent the staple firing stroke from being performed.Moreover, an RFID system can indicate whether the staple cartridgepositioned in the surgical instrument is an unspent staple cartridge orif the staple cartridge has already been used, or otherwise spent. Ifthe controller determines that the staple cartridge has been spent, thecontroller prevents the staple firing stroke from being performed untilthe spent staple cartridge has been replaced with an unspent staplecartridge. An RFID system can also be capable of tracking the motion amovable component of the staple cartridge, which will be discussed ingreater detail below.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is used in a variety of industriesto track and identify objects. RFID relies on radio waves to transferdigitally-stored information from a RFID tag to a RFID reader orreceiver configured to receive the information. RFID technology usesRFID tags, sometimes referred to as chips, which containelectronically-stored information, and RFID readers, which serve toidentify and communicate with the RFID tags. There are two differenttypes of RFID systems—active RFID systems and passive RFID systems.Active RFID systems include RFID tags that comprise an on-board powersource to broadcast their signals. Active RFID tags can include abattery within the RFID tag which allows the active RFID tag to functionindependently from the RFID reader. As such, RFID tags in an active RFIDsystem do not need to wait to receive a signal from a RFID reader beforesending out information. Instead, the active RFID tags are free tocontinuously send out a signal, or beacon. Many commercially availableactive RFID systems often operate at one of two main frequencyranges—433 MHz and 915 MHz, but any suitable frequency range can beused. Typically, a RFID tag must be within a specific distance orfrequency range in order to be identified by its corresponding RFIDreader.

Passive RFID systems include RFID tags which do not comprise an on-boardpower source but instead receive the energy needed to operate from anRFID reader. Contrary to active RFID tags, RFID tags in a passive RFIDsystem do not actively send out a signal before receiving a prompt.Instead, passive RFID tags wait to receive information from a RFIDreader before sending out a signal. Many commercially-available passiveRFID systems often operate within three frequency ranges—Low Frequency(“LF”), High Frequency (“HF”) & Near-Field Communication (“NFC”), andUltra High Frequency (“UHF”). The LF bandwidth is 125-134 KHz andincludes a longer wavelength with a short read range of approximatelyone to ten centimeters. The HF and NFC bandwidth is 13.56 MHz andincludes a medium wavelength with a typical read range of one centimeterto one meter. The UHF bandwidth is 865-960 MHz and includes a short,high-energy wavelength of one meter which translates into a long readrange. The above being said, any suitable frequency can be used.

A variety of RFID systems comprising differently-sized RFID tags exist.However, some are better suited for use in technology areas that requirethe tracking of very small objects. For example, Hitachi Chemical Co.Ltd. is a leading manufacturer in the RFID technology field. The UltraSmall size UHF RFID tag manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd. istypically no larger than 1.0 to 13 mm and enables communication betweena RFID tag and a RFID reader at distances of several centimeters ormore. Due to its compact nature, the Hitachi RFID tag is suitable forvery small products which need to be identified. Each Hitachi RFID tagcomprises an antenna, an IC chip connected to the antenna, and a sealingmaterial that seals the IC chip and the antenna. Because the HitachiRFID tag incorporates an antenna and an IC chip in a single unit, theHitachi RFID tag is convenient enough to easily affix to any smallobject using an adhesive or tape, for example.

The Hitachi RFID tag comprises a square stainless steel plate and ametal antenna. The antenna comprises a LC resonant circuit or any othersuitable circuit and is electrically connected to the plate. After theplate and the antenna are connected to one another, the antenna andplate are sealed together in a single unit with a sealing material. Thesealing material is primarily composed of epoxy, carbon, and silica toenhance the heat resistance capabilities of the Hitachi RFID tag. Thatis, the heat resistance of the RFID tag substantially depends on theheat resistance capabilities of the sealing material. The sealingmaterial has a high heat resistance withstanding temperatures of up to250 to 300° C. for shorter time periods, such as a few seconds, and isresistant to heat for longer periods of time up to 150° C. Accordingly,the Hitachi RFID tag has a higher heat resistance than conventional RFIDtags and can still operate normally even at high temperatures.Additional information regarding the Hitachi RFID tag can be found inthe entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,171,244, entitled RFID TAG,which issued on Oct. 27, 2015, and is incorporated by reference herein.

As mentioned above, the surgical instrument system 18000 comprises anRFID system which includes one or more RFID readers and one or more RFIDtags. In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 62, the RFID systemcomprises a first RFID tag 18560 a, a second RFID tag 18560 b, and athird RFID tag 18560 c. FIG. 67 illustrates a Hitachi Ultra SmallPackage UHF RFID tag 18900 which can be used for the RFID tags 18560 a,18560 b, and 18560 c, although any suitable RFID tag could be used. Thetag 18900 comprises a size of 2.5 mm×2.5 mm×0.4 mm, for example. The tag18900 comprises a substrate or base 18910, a microchip 18920 mounted tothe substrate 18910, and an antenna 18930 mounted to the substrate 18910in a circumferential pattern which is in communication with an outputchannel or pin of the microchip 18920. Additional details regarding theRFID tag 18900 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,171,244, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. That said, anysuitable RFID tag could be used.

Referring to FIGS. 62, 64-66 and 68, the first RFID tag 18560 a isaffixed to the cartridge body 18510 at a first position A. The secondRFID tag 18560 b is affixed to the sled 18550 slidably positioned in thecartridge body 18510, as illustrated in FIG. 69, and the third RFID tag18560 c is affixed to the cover 18570, as illustrated in FIG. 70.Referring primarily to FIG. 66, the surgical instrument 18000 comprisesa first RFID reader 18600, a second RFID reader 18700, and a third RFIDreader 18800. The first RFID reader 18600 includes a flexible circuitextending between the controller in the surgical instrument handle 18100and the second jaw 18320. The first RFID reader 18600 comprises a firstinductive coil or sensor 18620 which is aligned with the first RFID tag18560 a when the staple cartridge 18500 is seated in the second jaw18320. Similarly, the second RFID reader 18700 includes a flexiblecircuit extending between the controller in the surgical instrumenthandle 18100 and the second jaw 18320. The second RFID reader 18700comprises a second inductive coil or sensor 18720 at position B (FIG.62) which is aligned with the second RFID tag 18560 b when the staplecartridge 18500 is seated in the second jaw 18320. Also, similarly, thethird RFID reader 18600 includes a flexible circuit extending betweenthe controller in the surgical instrument handle 18100 and the secondjaw 18320. The third RFID reader 18800 comprises a third inductive coilor sensor 18820 at position C (FIG. 62) which is aligned with the thirdRFID tag 18560 c when the staple cartridge 18500 is seated in the secondjaw 18320.

The RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c can be active and/orpassive. When the RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c are activeRFID tags, they each emit a signal which is received by their respectiveRFID readers. For instance, the first RFID sensor 18620 receives a firstbeacon signal from the first RFID tag 18560 a, the second RFID sensor18720 receives a second beacon signal from the second RFID tag 18560 b,and the third RFID sensor 18820 receives a third beacon signal from thethird RFID tag 18560 c. The first, second, and third beacon signals canall be emitted at the same frequency or at different frequencies. If thebeacon signals are emitted at the same frequency, then the range of thebeacon signals and/or the position of the RFID sensors must becontrolled such that there isn't crosstalk between the RFID tags 18560a, 18560 b, and 18560 c and their respective RFID reader sensors 18620,18720, and 18820. The ranges of the RFID beacon signals is determined bythe power being used to transmit the beacon signals and the availabilityof that power from their respective power sources, or batteries. Ingeneral, the range of the beacon signal is proportional to thetransmission power of the signal. If the beacon signals are emitted atdifferent frequencies, then the range of the signals and the relativepositioning of the RFID sensors 18620, 18720, and 18820 can be moreflexible. In such embodiments, the controller comprises one or moresignal filters, such as low-pass filters and/or high-pass filters, forexample, which can be used to make sure that the signals, and data,received from the RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c is beingreceived on the correct input lines, or RFID readers. For instance, alow-pass filter can be used to filter out the second and third beaconsignals on the first RFID reader 18600, a high-pass filter can be usedto filter out the first and second beacon signals on the third RFIDreader 18800, and both a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter can beused to filter out the first and third beacon signals on the second RFIDreader 18700. In any event, the RFID readers 18600, 18700, and 18800receive data from their respective RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560c as soon as the staple cartridge 18500 is seated in the second jaw18320. Notably, the RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c may begin tocommunicate with their respective RFID readers as the staple cartridge18500 is being seated and/or when the staple cartridge 18500 is alignedwith the second jaw 18320 and is about to be seated.

When the RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c are passive RFID tags,the RFID tags 18560 a, 18560 b, and 18560 c do not emit signals untilthey receive signals from their respective RFID scanners 18600, 18700,and 18800. For instance, the first RFID tag 18560 a does not emit asignal until it is energized by a signal emitted from the first sensor18620 of the RFID scanner 18600. In this way, the first sensor 18620acts as a transmission antenna which broadcasts a first signal which,when received by the first RFID tag 18560 a, causes the first RFID tag18560 a to emit a first return signal that is received by the firstsensor 18620. As such, the first sensor 18620 acts as both atransmission antenna and a reception antenna. That said, the first RFIDscanner 18600 can comprise a transmission antenna as part of atransmission circuit and a separate reception antenna as part of areception circuit. Similarly, the second RFID tag 18560 b does not emita signal until it is energized by a signal emitted from the secondsensor 18720 of the RFID scanner 18700. In this way, the first sensor18720 acts as a transmission antenna which broadcasts a second signalwhich, when received by the second RFID tag 18560 b, causes the secondRFID tag 18560 b to emit a second return signal that is received by thesecond sensor 18720. As such, the second sensor 18720 acts as both atransmission antenna and a reception antenna. That said, the second RFIDscanner 18700 can comprise a transmission antenna as part of atransmission circuit and a separate reception antenna as part of areception circuit. Also, similarly, the third RFID tag 18560 c does notemit a signal until it is energized by a signal emitted from the thirdsensor 18820 of the RFID scanner 18800. In this way, the third sensor18820 acts as a transmission antenna which broadcasts a third signalwhich, when received by the third RFID tag 18560 c, causes the thirdRFID tag 18560 c to emit a third return signal that is received by thethird sensor 18820. As such, the third sensor 18820 acts as both atransmission antenna and a reception antenna. That said, the third RFIDscanner 18800 can comprise a transmission antenna as part of atransmission circuit and a separate reception antenna as part of areception circuit.

As described above, the first RFID tag 18560 a is affixed to thecartridge body 18510 of the staple cartridge 18500. The first RFID tag18560 a is attached to the cartridge body 18510 using one or moreadhesives. That said, the first RFID tag 18560 a could be affixed to thecartridge body 18510 in any suitable manner. For instance, referring toFIG. 68, the first RFID tag 18560 a can be integrally-molded with thecartridge body 18510 during an injection molding process. In suchinstances, at least part of the first RFID tag 18560 a is embedded inthe cartridge body 18510. That said, embodiments are envisioned in whichthe entirety of the first RFID tag 18560 a is embedded in the cartridgebody 18510. Moreover, embodiments are envisioned in which a wall of thecartridge body 18510 defines a recess, or pocket, and the first RFID tag18560 a is positioned in the recess. In various instances, the perimeterof the RFID tag 18560 a matches the perimeter of the recess in thecartridge body 18510.

When the first RFID scanner 18600 receives the first signal from thefirst RFID tag 18560 a and the first signal, or the data from the firstsignal, is communicated to the controller of the surgical instrument18000, the controller determines that a staple cartridge is present inthe second jaw 18520. In various embodiments, the controller performs anauthentication evaluation to determine that the data received from thefirst RFID tag 18560 a matches data from an acceptable staple cartridge.The data regarding an acceptable staple cartridge can be stored in amemory device of the controller and/or can be stored in an off-boardcontroller and/or cloud environment, for example. If the controllerdetermines that a staple cartridge is present in the second jaw 18320and that the staple cartridge is compatible, the controller will performadditional checks with the second and third RFID tags 18560 b and 18560c of the RFID system, as discussed in greater detail below. That said,embodiments are envisioned in which the first RFID tag 18560 a is theonly RFID tag in the RFID system and, once the presence of a compatiblestaple cartridge is verified via the first RFID tag 18560 a, thecontroller can unlock the staple firing system.

As discussed above, the second RFID tag 18560 b is affixed to the sled18550 of the staple cartridge 18500. The second RFID tag 18560 b isattached to the sled 18550 using one or more adhesives. That said, thesecond RFID tag 18560 b could be affixed to the sled 18550 in anysuitable manner. For instance, referring to FIG. 69, the second RFID tag18560 b can be integrally-molded with the sled 18550 during an injectionmolding process. In such instances, at least part of the second RFID tag18560 b can be embedded in the sled 18550. That said, embodiments areenvisioned in which the entirety of the second RFID tag 18560 b isembedded in the sled 18550. Moreover, embodiments are envisioned inwhich a wall of the sled 18550 defines a recess, or pocket, and thesecond RFID tag 18560 b is positioned in the recess. In variousinstances, the perimeter of the RFID tag 18560 b matches the perimeterof the recess in the sled 18550.

When the second RFID scanner 18700 receives the second signal from thesecond RFID tag 18560 b and the second signal, or the data from thesecond signal, is communicated to the controller of the surgicalinstrument 18000, the controller determines that the sled is present inits proximal, unfired position within the staple cartridge. With thisinformation, the controller can determine that the staple cartridge isin an unspent condition. If the sled 18550 is not in its proximal,unfired position, the second RFID tag 18560 b will be out of range ofthe second RFID scanner 18700 and the controller will determine that thestaple cartridge positioned in the second jaw 18320 has been at leastpartially spent. In such instances, the controller will not unlock thestaple firing system until the staple cartridge has been replaced with acompatible unspent staple cartridge.

In various embodiments, the controller performs an authenticationevaluation to determine that the data received from the second RFID tag18560 b matches data corresponding to the staple cartridge that wasidentified by the first RFID scanner 18600. If the controller determinesthat the sled 18550 is an appropriate component of the staple cartridgepresent in the second jaw 18320 via the data from the second RFID tag18560 b, the controller will perform an additional check with the thirdRFID tag 18560 c of the RFID system, as discussed in greater detailbelow. That said, embodiments are envisioned that do not include a thirdRFID tag 18560 c and, once the presence of a compatible unfired staplecartridge is verified via the first and second RFID tags 18560 a and18560 b, as discussed above, the controller can unlock the staple firingsystem.

As discussed above, referring to FIG. 70, the third RFID tag 18560 c isaffixed to the removable cover 18570 of the staple cartridge 18500. Thethird RFID tag 18560 c is attached to the cover 18570 using one or moreadhesives. That said, the third RFID tag 18560 c could be affixed to thecover 18570 in any suitable manner. For instance, referring to FIG. 70,the third RFID tag 18560 c can be integrally-molded with the cover 18570during an injection molding process. In such instances, at least part ofthe third RFID tag 18560 c can be embedded in the cover 18570. Thatsaid, embodiments are envisioned in which the entirety of the third RFIDtag 18560 c is embedded in the cover 18570. Moreover, embodiments areenvisioned in which a wall of the cover 18570 defines a recess, orpocket, and the third RFID tag 18560 c is positioned in the recess. Invarious instances, the perimeter of the RFID tag 18560 c matches theperimeter of the recess in the cover 18570.

When the third RFID scanner 18800 receives the third signal from thethird RFID tag 18560 c and the third signal, or the data from the thirdsignal, is communicated to the controller of the surgical instrument18000, the controller determines that the cover 18570 is attached to thestaple cartridge. With this information, the controller can determinethat the clinician inserted the staple cartridge into the surgicalinstrument 18000 with the cover 18570 on and, thus, did not disturb thestaples stored in the cartridge body 18510. If the cover 18570 is notdetected on the cartridge body 18510, the controller will determine thatthe staple cartridge may be damaged. In such instances, the controllerwill not unlock the staple firing system until the staple cartridge hasbeen replaced with a compatible, unspent and undamaged staple cartridge.

In various embodiments, the controller performs an authenticationevaluation to determine that the data received from the third RFID tag18560 c matches data corresponding to the staple cartridge that wasidentified by the third RFID scanner 18700. If the controller determinesthat the cover 18570 is an appropriate component of the staple cartridgepresent in the second jaw 18320 via the data from the third RFID tag18560 c, the controller unlocks the staple firing system. AdditionalRFID tags and RFID tag scanners can be used to evaluate the presence,condition, and/or compatibility of the staple cartridge positioned inthe surgical instrument.

As discussed above, the second RFID scanner 18700 is used by thecontroller of the surgical instrument 18000 to assess whether or not thesled 18550 is in its proximal, unfired position. Absent more, thecontroller is unable to assess the position of the sled 18550 other thanit is not within the communication range of the second RFID 18700scanner. That said, a surgical instrument can comprise more than oneRFID scanner which be used by the controller of the surgical instrumentto assess the position of the sled 18500 and, thus, the progress of thestaple firing stroke. Referring again to FIG. 66, the first RFID scanner18600 and the third RFID scanner 18800 of the surgical instrument 18000can be used to track the position of the sled 18500. As the sled 18500is moved distally during the staple firing stroke, the second RFID tag18560 b passes through the transmission range 18610 of the first RFIDscanner 18600 and the transmission range 18810 of the third RFIDscanner. When the second signal of the second RFID tag 18560 b isdetected by the first RFID scanner 18600, the controller determines thatthe sled 18550 is adjacent position A. Likewise, the controllerdetermines that the sled 18550 is adjacent position C when the secondsignal of the second RFID tag 18560 b is detected by the third RFIDscanner 18800. In various embodiments, the RFID system can comprise anRFID scanner adjacent the distal end of a staple cartridge incommunication with the controller to detect when the sled 18550 hasreached the end of the staple firing stroke.

Many commercially-available staple cartridges are sold in standardlengths. For instance, Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, sellsstaple cartridges configured to apply a 30 mm long staple pattern,staple cartridges configured to apply a 45 mm long staple pattern, andstaple cartridges configured to apply a 60 mm long staple pattern, amongothers. The 30 mm, 45 mm, and 60 mm lengths do not represent the overalllength of the staple cartridges; rather, these lengths represent thelength of the staple patterns that these staple cartridges could apply.That said, Ethicon also sells surgical staplers configured to receivethe 30 mm staple cartridges. Such surgical staplers comprise anvils thatare configured to deform the staples in the 30 mm pattern. Ethicon alsosells surgical staplers configured to receive 45 mm staples cartridgesand surgical staplers configured to receive the 60 mm staple cartridgesand have anvils configured to deform a 45 mm staple pattern and a 60 mmstaple pattern, respectively. Absent other considerations, an anvildesigned to create a 30 mm long staple pattern would not be able todeform all of the staples of a 60 mm staple pattern. In variousembodiments, further to the above, a surgical instrument can include anRFID system configured to assess whether a staple cartridge that hasbeen inserted into the surgical instrument has a staple pattern thatmatches the staple pattern that can be deformed by the anvil of thesurgical instrument, as described in greater detail below.

Further to the above, referring to FIGS. 74 and 75, an end effector18300′ of a surgical instrument comprises a first jaw 18310 and a secondjaw 18320, where the second jaw 18320 is configured to receive areplaceable staple cartridge 19700 therein. The staple cartridge 19700is similar to the staple cartridge 18500 in many respects and comprisesa plurality of staples removably stored therein. The pattern of thestaples stored in the staple cartridge 19700 matches a pattern of stapleforming pockets defined in the anvil of the first jaw 18310. Anotherstaple cartridge 19600 is illustrated in FIG. 74. Similar to the staplecartridge 19700, the staple cartridge 19600 can be inserted into thesecond jaw 18320; however, the staple cartridge 19600 produces a staplepattern which is different than, or shorter in length than, the staplepattern produced by the staple cartridge 19700. As such, the staplecartridge 19600 is unsuitable for, or incorrect for use with, thesurgical instrument while the staple cartridge 19700 is suitable for, orcorrect for use with, the surgical instrument. The surgical instrumentcomprises an RFID system in communication with the controller of thesurgical instrument which is used to prevent the surgical instrumentfrom performing a staple firing stroke when an incorrect staplecartridge, such as staple cartridge 19600, for example—or no staplecartridge—is positioned in the second jaw 18320. Correspondingly, thecontroller is configured to permit the stapling instrument to be used toperform a staple firing stroke when a correct staple cartridge, such asstaple cartridge 19700, is positioned in the second jaw 18320 andrecognized by the controller.

The end effector 18300′ comprises a first RFID scanner comprising afirst sensor at a proximal end of the second jaw 18320 and a second RFIDscanner comprising a second sensor at a distal end of the second jaw18320. The staple cartridge 19700 comprises a cartridge body 19710, afirst RFID tag 19760 a mounted to a proximal end of the cartridge body19710, and a second RFID tag 19760 b mounted to a distal end of thecartridge body 19710. When the staple cartridge 19700 is seated in thesecond jaw 18320, the first RFID tag 19760 a is aligned with the sensorof the first RFID scanner and the second RFID tag 19760 b is alignedwith the sensor of the second RFID scanner. In such instances, thecontroller of the surgical instrument is able to verify the presence ofa correct staple cartridge in the second jaw 18320 when both of the RFIDscanners detect the presence of their respective RFID tags. As discussedherein, the controller can be configured to authenticate whether thesignals and/or data received from the RFID tags match a set of signalsand/or data that corresponds to a compatible staple cartridge. In anyevent, the controller is configured to unlock the staple firing systemonce the controller has determined the presence of a correct staplecartridge seated in the second jaw 18320.

Further to the above, the staple cartridge 19600 comprises a cartridgebody 19610, a first RFID tag 19660 a mounted to a proximal end of thecartridge body 19610, and a second RFID tag 19660 b mounted to a distalend of the cartridge body 19610. When the staple cartridge 19600 isseated in the second jaw 18320, the second RFID tag 19660 b is alignedwith the sensor of the second RFID scanner; however, referring to FIG.75, the first RFID tag 19660 a is not aligned with the first RFIDscanner. In fact, the first RFID tag 19660 a is not positioned withinthe transmission, or communication, range of the first RFID scanner. Asa result, the controller can receive a signal from the second RFID tag19660 b, but it cannot receive a signal from the first RFID tag 19660 a.In such instances, the controller is configured to determine that astaple cartridge having an incorrect length has been seated in thesecond jaw 18320. Stated another way, the controller can determine thata staple cartridge is present in the second jaw 18320 owing to thedetection of the second RFID tag 19660 b by the second RFID scanner butthat the staple cartridge is the wrong length owing to the lack ofsignal detected by the first RFID scanner. The controller is configuredto maintain the staple firing system in a locked out state until thecontroller has determined that a correct staple cartridge is seated inthe second jaw 18320. In at least one such embodiment, the controller isnot responsive to a firing actuator input and does not power theelectric motor of the staple firing system until the presence of acorrect staple cartridge has been detected in the second jaw 18320.

An algorithm 16000 of the controller of the embodiment of FIGS. 74 and75 is illustrated in FIG. 76. At step 16100 the controller evaluates thepresence of the second RFID tag 19660 b using the second RFID scanner.If the controller does not receive a signal from the second RFIDscanner, the controller determines that a staple cartridge is absentfrom the second jaw 18320 and the absence of a staple cartridge isindicated to the clinician at step 16110. In various instances, thesurgical instrument comprises a display screen in communication with thecontroller which is used to convey the absence of a staple cartridge tothe clinician. In such instances, the algorithm 16000 returns to step16100 and waits for a staple cartridge to be inserted into the secondjaw 18320 that can communicate with the second RFID scanner. If thecontroller receives a signal from the second RFID scanner at step 16100,the controller evaluates the presence of the first tag 19660 a using thefirst RFID scanner at step 16200. If the controller does not receive asignal from the first RFID scanner, the controller determines that anincompatible staple cartridge is present in the second jaw 18320 whichis indicated to the clinician at step 16210. This indication can beprovided to the clinician via the display screen, for example. In suchinstances, the algorithm 16000 returns to step 16100 and waits for acompatible staple cartridge to be inserted into the second jaw 18320that can communicate with the first and second RFID scanners. If thecontroller receives a signal from the first RFID scanner at step 16200,the controller verifies the authenticity of the first and/or second RFIDtags at step 16300. In various instances, the controller comprises setsof data stored in a memory chip, or memory device, that can be used toauthenticate the data received from the first and second RFID tags 19660a and 19660 b. For instance, if the data from the first RFID signal andthe second RFID signal match the set of data stored in the memory chipfor the first and second RFID signals, the controller can determine thatthe staple cartridge positioned in the second jaw 18320 is authentic atstep 16300. If the received data does not match the stored data at step16300, then the controller indicates to the clinician at step 16310 thatan inauthentic staple cartridge is present in the second jaw 18320 viathe display screen, for example. In such instances, the algorithm 16000returns to step 16100 and waits for a compatible authentic staplecartridge to be inserted into the second jaw 18320.

Once the controller determines that an authentic staple cartridge isposition in the second jaw 18320, the controller enables the staplefiring system at step 16400. At such point, the controller is responsiveto an input from a staple firing actuator at step 16500 and applies avoltage potential to the electric motor of the staple firing system atstep 16600 when the input is received, assuming that all otherconditions for performing a staple firing stroke have been met. Forinstance, the controller is configured to not be responsive to an inputfrom the staple firing actuator while the first jaw 18310 is in an openposition. When the first jaw 18310 is closed, however, the controllercan be responsive to the input from the staple firing actuator at steps16500 and 16600. If an input is not received from the staple firingactuator, then the controller waits for such an input at step 16510.

In various embodiments, further to the above, the staple cartridge 19700and/or the second jaw 18320 comprise features that create a snap-fitbetween the staple cartridge 19700 and the second jaw 18320 when thestaple cartridge 19700 is seated in the second jaw 18320. Such asnap-fit arrangement securely holds the staple cartridge 19700 in thesecond jaw 18320, but still permits the staple cartridge 19700 to beremoved from the second jaw 18320. In some instances, seating the distalend of the staple cartridge 19700 into the second jaw 18320 isrelatively easy while seating the proximal end of the staple cartridge19700 may be somewhat difficult owing to the proximity of the first jaw18310. In various embodiments, the RFID system can be used to determineif a staple cartridge is fully seated in the second jaw 18320. Forinstance, if the proximal end of the staple cartridge 19700 is fullyseated in the second jaw 18320 and the distal end of the staplecartridge 19700 is not seated in the second jaw 18320, the controllerwill detect the presence of the staple cartridge 19700 owing to thesignal received from the first RFID reader but will determine that thedistal end of the staple cartridge 19700 is not fully seated due to theabsence of a signal from the second RFID reader. In such instances, thecontroller can communicate this condition to the clinician via thedisplay, for example, and provide the clinician with instructions as tohow to fix the problem. The controller can also be configured todetermine that the proximal end of the staple cartridge is not fullyseated in the second jaw 18320 when the second RFID reader receives asignal from the second RFID tag 19760 b and the first RFID reader doesnot receive a signal from the first RFID tag 19760 a. In such instances,the controller can identify that the staple cartridge 19700 is anunseated, but nonetheless correct staple cartridge, or at least assumethat the staple cartridge 19700 is a correct staple cartridge, byauthenticating the partial set of data from the second RFID tag 19760 b.In any event, if the controller determines that an end of the staplecartridge 19700 has not been fully seated, the controller will preventthe staple firing stroke from being actuated. Once both ends of thestaple cartridge 19700 have been fully seated, the controller isresponsive to an input from the firing system actuator assuming all ofthe conditions for performing a staple firing stroke have been met.

As described above, a staple cartridge comprises staples removablystored therein which are ejected from the staple cartridge by a sledand/or firing member that is moved through the staple cartridge during astaple firing stroke. In various embodiments, the sled contacts thestaples directly while, in other embodiments, the sled contacts stapledrivers which support and drive the staples out of the staple cartridgeduring the staple firing stroke. The cartridge body, sled, and/or stapledrivers of the staple cartridge often undergo significant stresses andstrains during the staple firing stroke and, in such instances,re-using, or re-loading, the spent staple cartridge with new staples maynot be desirable. With this in mind, various embodiments are envisionedin which one or more features of the staple cartridge are intentionallydestroyed during and/or after the staple firing stroke to prevent thestaple cartridge from being re-used. Referring to FIG. 72, a staplecartridge 19500 comprises a cartridge body 19510, staples removablystored in the cartridge body 19510, staple drivers movably stored withinthe cartridge body 19510, and a sled 18550′ (FIG. 71) configured to movebetween a proximal position (FIG. 72) and a distal position (FIG. 72B)during a staple firing stroke. Similar to the sled 18550, the sled18550′ comprises an RFID tag 18560 b mounted thereto and, similar to theabove, the RFID system of the surgical instrument 18000 is configured toverify that the sled 18550′ in its present in its proximal, unfiredposition (FIG. 72) when the staple cartridge 19500 is loaded into thesurgical instrument 18000. When the staple cartridge 19500 has not beenfired previously, referring to FIG. 73A, the RFID system can communicatewith the RFID tag 18560 b and permit the staple firing stroke to beperformed. At the end of the staple firing stroke, however, the RFID tag18560 b of the sled 18550′ contacts and is cut by a knife 19590positioned at the distal end of the cartridge body 19510 as illustratedin FIG. 73B. When the RFID tag 18560 b is cut in this manner, the RFIDtag 18560 b is no longer able to emit a signal and, even if the sled18550′ were to be pushed back, or reset, into its proximal, unfiredposition to reload the staple cartridge 19500, the re-loaded staplecartridge 19500 could not pass the authentication test performed by theRFID system of the surgical instrument 18000 owing to the damaged RFIDtag 18560 b. As a result, the surgical instrument 18000 would be unableto perform a staple firing stroke with the re-loaded staple cartridge19500 positioned in the surgical instrument 18000.

Referring again to FIG. 71, the RFID tag 18560 b is mounted to thecentral or longitudinal portion 18552 of the sled 18550′ which slideswithin the longitudinal slot of the staple cartridge 19500. The RFID tag18560 b is partially embedded in the central portion 18552 and a portionof the RFID tag 18560 b is exposed. More specifically, a portion of theRFID antenna is exposed. That said, the RFID tag 18560 b could bemounted to the sled 18550′ at any suitable location, such as on therails 18554 of the sled 18550′, for example. The exposed portion of theRFID tag 18560 b faces the distal end of the sled 18550′ such that theRFID tag 18560 b comes into contact with the cartridge knife 19590 atthe end of the staple firing stroke. That said, embodiments areenvisioned in which the RFID tag 18560 b on the sled 18550′ is destroyedat the outset of the staple firing stroke. Moreover, embodiments areenvisioned in which the RFID tag of other staple cartridge components isintentionally destroyed and/or disabled during use. One such embodimentis discussed further below in which the RFID tag of the staple cartridgecover is destroyed and/or disabled when it is removed from the staplecartridge. In such instances, a used staple cartridge cover could not beattached to a staple cartridge to pass the authentication test performedby the RFID system.

As discussed above, the RFID system of the surgical instrument 18000comprises three RFID readers—each of which being able to communicatewith and/or receive signals from a respective RFID tag. As alsodiscussed above, the RFID readers can comprise flex circuits, forexample, which extend into the end effector 18300 of the surgicalinstrument 18000. In such instances, referring to FIG. 66, the flexcircuits can be mounted to the walls of the second jaw 18320 and can besized and configured to accommodate a staple cartridge seated in thesecond jaw 18320. Among other things, referring again to FIG. 66, thesecond jaw 18320 comprises a bottom wall, or support, 18322 and twolateral sidewalls 18324 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 18322which are configured to receive a staple cartridge therebetween. Two ofthe RFID flex circuits are mounted to one of the sidewalls and the otherRFID flex circuit is mounted to the other sidewall. In variousinstances, the RFID flex circuits are mounted to the sidewalls using oneor more adhesives, for example. In addition to or in lieu of the above,fasteners could be used to mount the RFID flex circuits to the walls ofthe second jaw 18320. In various alternative embodiments, referring toFIG. 77, the RFID scanners can be part of one flex circuit. In at leastone such embodiment, the RFID scanners comprise sub-circuits of the flexcircuit.

Referring again to FIG. 77, a flex circuit 19900 comprises a flexiblesubstrate and conductors embedded in the flexible substrate. Theflexible substrate is comprised of an insulative, or non-conductive,material, such as plastic, for example, and the conductors are comprisedof copper, for example. The flex circuit 19900 is mounted to the bottomwall 18322 of the second jaw 18320 and comprises a first RFID scanner19100, a second RFID scanner 19200, and a third RFID scanner 19300. Thefirst RFID scanner 19100 comprises a sensor circuit including twoconductors and a first sensor coil or array 19120. One of the conductorscomprises a coil portion defined in the first sensor 19120 and aconductive connector which connects an end of the coil portion to theother conductor to complete the circuit of the first RFID scanner 19100.The first sensor 19120 is mounted to a first sidewall 18324 of thesecond jaw 18320. Similarly, the second RFID scanner 19200 comprises asensor circuit including two conductors and a second sensor coil orarray 19220. One of the conductors comprises a coil portion defined inthe second sensor 19220 and a conductive connector 19222 which connectsan end of the coil portion to the other conductor to complete thecircuit of the second RFID scanner 19200. The second sensor 19220 ismounted to the second sidewall 18324 of the second jaw 18320. Also,similarly, the third RFID scanner 19300 comprises a sensor circuitincluding two conductors and a third sensor coil or array 19320. One ofthe conductors comprises a coil portion defined in the third sensor19320 and a conductive connector which connects an end of the coilportion to the other conductor to complete the circuit of the third RFIDscanner 19300. The third sensor 19320 is mounted to the base wall 18322of the second jaw 18320.

When a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridge 18500, forexample, is seated in the second jaw 18320, referring again to FIG. 66,the first RFID tag 18560 a is aligned with the sensor 18620 of the firstRFID scanner 18600. In various embodiments, the first RFID tag 18560 acomprises a substantially planar configuration. More specifically, thebase, microchip, and tag antenna of the first RFID tag 18560 a arearranged in a manner which appears to be visibly flat. The sensor 18620of the first RFID scanner 18600, similar to sensor 19220 of the RFIDscanner 19200, also comprises a substantially planar configuration whichappears to be visibly flat. When the staple cartridge 18500 is seated inthe second jaw 18320, the first RFID tag 18560 a is parallel to, or atleast substantially parallel to, the first sensor 18620. The first RFIDtag 18560 a and the first sensor 18620 are substantially parallel to oneanother when there is an approximately 10 degree, or less, angle betweentheir two planes.

Moreover, further to the above, the tag antenna of the first RFID tag18560 a extends circumferentially about a tag antenna axis TA (FIG. 67)which is orthogonal, or at least substantially orthogonal, to the planedefined by the first RFID tag 18560 a. The tag antenna axis TA isorthogonal to the first RFID tag 18560 a when there is an approximately80-100 degree angle between the tag antenna axis TA and the planedefined by the first RFID tag 18560 a. Similarly, the reader antenna ofthe first sensor 18620 extends circumferentially about a reader antennaaxis SA (FIG. 77) which is orthogonal, or at least substantiallyorthogonal, to the plane defined by the first sensor 18620. The readerantenna axis SA is orthogonal to the first reader antenna 18620 whenthere is an approximately 80-100 degree angle between the reader antennaaxis SA and the plane defined by the first reader antenna 18620. Whenthe staple cartridge 18500 is seated in the second jaw 18320, the tagantenna axis TA is aligned with the reader antenna axis SA. In variousinstances, the tag antenna axis TA is collinear with the reader antennaaxis SA. Similar arrangements can be achieved between the second RFIDtag 18560 b and the antenna 18720 of the second RFID reader 18700. Also,similar arrangements can be achieved between the third RFID tag 18560 cand the antenna 18820 of the third RFID reader 18800

Referring again to FIG. 66, the first RFID tag 18560 a, the second RFIDtag 18560 b, and the third RFID tag 18560 c are not alignedlongitudinally in the second jaw 18320. More specifically, the secondRFID tag 18560 b is positioned proximally with respect to the first RFIDtag 18560 a and, also, the third RFID tag 18560 c is positioned distallywith respect to the first RFID tag 18560 a. If the first RFID tag 18560a, the second RFID tag 18560 b, and the third RFID tag 18560 c areactive RFID tags, the transmission ranges of the RFID tags 18560 a,18560 b, and 18560 c can be established such that they do not overlap.Moreover, the second sensor 18720 of the second RFID reader 18700 ispositioned proximally with respect to the first sensor 18620 of thefirst RFID reader 18600 and, also, the third sensor 18820 of the thirdRFID reader 18800 is positioned distally with respect to the firstsensor 18620. As also illustrated in FIG. 66, the second transmissionrange 18710 of the second sensor 18720 is proximal to and does notoverlap lap with the first transmission range 18610 of the first sensor18620 and, also, the third transmission range 18810 of the third sensor18820 is distal to and does not overlap with the first transmissionrange 18610 of the first sensor 18620.

Further to the above, referring to FIGS. 64-66, the first RFID tag 18560a and the second RFID tag 18560 b are not aligned laterally in thesecond jaw 18320. More specifically, the first RFID tag 18560 a ispositioned in a lateral sidewall 18514 of the cartridge body 18510 andthe second RFID tag 18560 b is positioned in the longitudinal slot18520. Moreover, the first RFID tag 18560 a and the third RFID tag 18560c are not aligned laterally in the second jaw 18320. More specifically,the first RFID tag 18560 a is positioned in the lateral sidewall 18514of the cartridge body 18510 and the third RFID tag 18560 c is positionedin the longitudinal slot 18520.

As discussed herein, the controller of a surgical instrument, such asthe surgical instrument 18000, for example, is configured to prevent astaple firing stroke from being performed or permit the staple firingstroke to be performed based on feedback from an RFID system. That said,the controller can be configured to alter the operation of the surgicalinstrument in one or more other ways based on feedback from the RFIDsystem. For instance, the controller can be configured to change thespeed of the staple firing stroke based on feedback from the RFIDsystem. In at least one such embodiment, the controller can use dataobtained from the RFID tags and/or data stored in a memory device to runthe electric motor of the staple firing system at a desired speed forthe staple cartridge seated in the surgical instrument. In at least oneinstance, the data instructs the electric motor to run at a slower speedduring the staple firing stroke. Such an arrangement could be usefulwhen the staple cartridge comprises an implantable adjunct releasablyattached to the deck of the staple cartridge. Such an arrangement couldalso be useful when the staple cartridge comprises tall staples, orstaples between approximately 2.5 mm and approximately 5.0 mm in heightbefore being deformed against the anvil, for example. In otherinstances, the data instructs the electric motor to run at a fasterspeed during the staple firing stroke. Such an arrangement could beuseful when the staple cartridge does not comprise an implantableadjunct releasably attached to the deck of the staple cartridge. Such anarrangement could also be useful when the staple cartridge comprisesshort staples, or staples less than approximately 2.5 mm in heightbefore being deformed against the anvil, for example.

During various surgical procedures, surgical instruments comprising atleast one replaceable component are used. It is important that suchreplaceable components be replaced with functional and/or compatiblecomponents. Various identification systems described in greater detailherein verify, among other things, a component's compatibility with thesurgical instrument and/or verify an operating status of the component.For instance, the identification system can serve to, for example,ensure that the packaging containing the replaceable component has notbeen destroyed and/or tampered with, alert a clinician if a component iscompatible or incompatible with the surgical instrument prior to openingthe product packaging, and/or alert the clinician if a recall exists fora particular manufacturing batch or type of the replaceable component.

The identification systems described herein can either be active systemsor passive systems. In various embodiments, a combination of active andpassive identification systems are used. Passive systems can include,for example, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, and/or a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag. Passive systems do not comprise aninternal power source, and the passive systems described herein requirea reader to send a first signal, such as, for example an interrogationsignal.

The implementation of a barcode requires the use of an optical barcodereader and/or scanner. A barcode needs to be oriented properly relativeto the scanner and the scanner needs to have an unobstructed view of thebarcode in order for the barcode be properly scanned. For at least thesereasons, the barcode is typically printed onto paper or plastic. Thescanner decodes bars of the barcode which generally represent a seriesof numbers. The decoded information is sent to a computer, or acontroller, which interprets what has been read. This information cancontain data regarding, for example, the manufacturer of the replaceablecomponent, a type or model of the replaceable component, and/orcompatibility information of the replaceable component for use with asurgical instrument.

Another passive identification system comprises a quick response (QR)code. The QR code is a type of matrix barcode. QR codes often comprisedata for a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a website oran application for use on a mobile device. QR codes use fourstandardized encoding modes to efficiently store data. The fourstandardized encoding modes include numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary,and kanji. A QR code consists of black squares arranged in a square gridon a white background, which is able to be read by an imaging device,such as a camera, for example. The captured image is processed usingReed-Solomon error correction until the captured image can beappropriately interpreted. The desired data is then extracted frompatterns that are present in both horizontal and vertical components ofthe image. The desired data can comprise, for example, the manufacturerof the replaceable component, a type or model of the replaceablecomponent, and/or compatibility information of the replaceable componentand a surgical instrument.

Passive radio frequency identification (RFID) systems read informationby using radio frequencies. Such passive RFID systems comprise an RFIDscanner and an RFID tag with no internal power source. The RFID tag ispowered by electromagnetic energy transmitted from the RFID scanner.Each RFID tag comprises a chip, such as a microchip, for example, thatstores information about the replaceable component and/or a surgicalinstrument with which the replaceable component is compatible. While thechip may only contain a basic identification number, in variousinstances, the chip can store additional information such as, forexample, the manufacturing data, shipping data, and/or maintenancehistory. Each RFID tag comprises a radio antenna that allows the RFIDtag to communicate with the RFID scanner. The radio antenna extends therange in which the RFID tag can receive signals from the RFID scannerand transmit response signals back to the RFID scanner. In a passiveRFID system, the RFID scanner, which also comprises its own antenna,transmits radio signals that activate RFID tags that are positionedwithin a pre-determined range. The RFID scanner is configured to receivethe response signals that are “bounced back” from RFID tags, allowingthe RFID scanner is to capture the identification informationrepresentative of the replaceable component. In various instances, theone or more response signals comprise the same signal as theinterrogation signal. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise a modified signal from the interrogation signal. Invarious instances, the RFID scanner is also able to write, or encode,information directly onto the RFID tag. In any event, software on theRFID scanner is able to pass information about the replaceable componentto a controller, such as the control system of a surgical instrument, asurgical hub, and/or a remote surgical system. Various surgical hubs aredescribed in described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395,titled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, and filed Dec. 4, 2018, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The RFID scanner isconfigured to read multiple RFID tags at once, as the RFID tags areactivated by radio signals.

Active radio frequency identification (RFID) systems also comprise anRFID tag and an RFID scanner. However, the RFID tag in an active RFIDsystem comprises an internal power source. Active RFID systems utilizebattery-powered RFID tags that are configured to continuously broadcasttheir own signal. One type of active RFID tags is commonly referred toas a “beacon.” Such beacon RFID tags do not wait to receive a firstsignal from an RFID scanner. Instead, the beacon RFID tag continuouslytransmits its stored information. For example, the beacon can send outits information at an interval of every 3-5 seconds. Another type ofactive RFID tag comprises a transponder. In such systems, the RFIDscanner transmits a signal first. The RFID transponder tag then sends asignal back to the RFID scanner with the relevant information. Such RFIDtransponder tag systems are efficient, as they conserve battery lifewhen, for example, the RFID tag is out of range of the RFID scanner. Invarious instances, the active RFID tag comprises an on-board sensor totrack an environmental parameter. For example, the on-board sensor cantrack moisture levels, temperature, and/or other data that might berelevant.

Replacement staple cartridges are contained in a sealed packaging afterbeing manufactured until the packaging is opened in the operating room.Various forms of packaging include, for example, peel-pouches, wovenand/or non-woven material wrappers, and rigid containers. FIG. 78depicts an example of a sealed packaging 25000. The depicted packaging25000 is a peel-pouch. The packaging 25000 comprises a first layer 25010and a second layer 25020. The first layer 25010 and the second layer25020 form a protective barrier around a staple cartridge 25100, whichis usable with a surgical instrument. An adhesive bonds the first layer25010 and the second layer 25020 together to form an airtight and/orfluid-tight seal and/or pouch around an item. The adhesive forms a sealwithout creases, wrinkles, and/or gaps. The seal created by the adhesiveprevents contaminants from coming into contact with the staple cartridge25100 and/or prevents components of the staple cartridge 25100 frombeing misplaced, for example. In various instances, the staple cartridge25100 is hermetically sealed within the packaging 25000. In variousinstances, the packaging 25000 provides a completely fluid-tight seal.In various instances, the packaging provides a completely fluid-tightand airtight seal.

The first layer 25010 comprises a first corner 25011 positioned outsideof the seal, and the second layer 25020 comprises a second corner 25021positioned outside of the seal. The clinician can expose the sealedstaple cartridge 25100 by peeling the first layer 25010 apart from thesecond layer 25020. In various instances, the clinician can expose thesealed staple cartridge 25100 by holding the first corner 25011 and thesecond corner 25021 in separate hands and pulling the first corner 25011in a direction away from the second layer 25021, although any suitableopening method could be used.

The first layer 25010 and the second layer 25020 are comprised of amaterial such as, for example, paper with a laminated inner surface. Thelaminated inner surface provides a barrier to prevent contaminants fromentering the sealed portion of the packaging 25000. In variousinstances, the first layer 25010 and the second layer 25020 arecomprised of plastic. The first layer 25010 and the second layer 25020can be comprised of a material with a particular degree of transparencyto allow a clinician, for example, to observe the contents of thepackaging 25000. The above being said, any suitable material orcombinations of materials can be used for the first layer 25010 and/orthe second layer 25020.

The packaging 25000 comprises various identification systems thatfacilitate a surgical instrument and/or a clinician in selecting astaple cartridge 25100 that is compatible with a particular surgicalinstrument and/or a particular surgical procedure. The first layer 25010of the packaging 25000 comprises various visual indicators thatrepresent the contents of the packaging 25000 in some manner. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 78, the name 25012 of the product containedwithin the packaging 25000 is printed, or otherwise displayed, on thefirst layer 25010.

The packaging 25000 further comprises one or more passive identificationsystems displayed on the first layer 25010. For example, the packaging25000 comprises a QR code 25014. The QR code 25014 can assist, forexample, in sorting and/or tracking a status of the packaging 25000. TheQR code 25014 can also be scanned prior to breaking the seal of thepackaging 25000 to ensure that the contents are appropriate for use withthe particular instrument and/or during the particular surgicalprocedure.

In addition to the name 25012 of the contents of the packaging 25000being displayed on the first layer 25010, the packaging 25000 comprisesa serial number 25016 that can, for example, provide more detailedinformation that a clinician can utilize before deciding whether to openthe packaging 25000. For example, the serial number 25016 may comprisealphanumeric symbols that are specific and/or unique to a surgicalsystem. Each alphanumeric symbol can represent a component of acompatible assembled surgical system. For example, the alphanumericsymbols can represent a staple cartridge, an end effector, a shaftassembly, a surgical instrument, etc. The serial number 25016 canrepresent additional factors such as, manufacturing lot, date ofmanufacture, etc. In various instances, the serial number 25016 cancomprise encrypted information as described in greater detail herein.

It is envisioned that the packaging 25000 can comprise some or all ofthe various forms of identification systems discussed herein.

FIGS. 79 and 80 depict an RFID system 25200 integrated with thepackaging 25000. The RFID system 25200 comprises an RFID tag 25210 andan insulator 25220. The RFID tag 25210 comprises a chip, such as amicrochip, for example, that stores information about the packaging25000 and/or the contents of the packaging 25000. In various instances,the chip comprises a basic identification number. Such a basicidentification can be assigned to the chip that can communicate thechip's existence to an RFID scanner. In various instances, the chipcomprises additional information such as, for example, manufacturingdata, shipping data, and/or compatibility data. The RFID tag 25210further comprises a radio antenna configured to facilitate communicationbetween the RFID tag 25210 and an RFID scanner.

The insulator 25220 is attached to the first layer 25010 of thepackaging 25000, while the RFID tag 25210 is attached to the secondlayer 25020 of the packaging 25000. When the packaging is in a sealedconfiguration, the insulator 25220 is affixed to, or otherwise connectedto, the RFID tag 25210. The RFID tag 25210 is part of an active RFIDsystem 25200 that comprises an internal power source that is activatedwhen the packaging 25000 is opened. Prior to the packaging 25000 beingopened, the interface between the insulator 25220 and the RFID tag 25210prevents the power source from providing power to the RFID tag 25210. Insuch instances, the RFID tag 25210 is unable to emit a signal. When aclinician breaks the seal of the packaging 25000 by peeling the firstlayer 25010 away from the second layer 25020, the insulator 25220 isdisconnected, or otherwise disassociated, from the RFID tag 25210. Upondisassociation of the insulator 25220 from the RFID tag 25210, thecircuit between the power source and the RFID tag 25210 is closed, andthe RFID tag 25210 is energized. As shown in FIG. 80, the RFID tag 25210begins emitting a signal 25215 upon being energized. The RFID tag 25210is configured to emit the signal 25215 at any appropriate frequencyand/or for any appropriate duration. For example, the RFID tag 25210 cancontinuously emit the signal 25215 or the RFID tag 25210 can emit thesignal 25215 every 3-5 seconds. The signal 25215 comprises some, or all,of the information stored on the chip. In various instances, the signal25215 may serve to alert a surgical instrument that the packaging 25000has been tampered with during shipping and/or storage or simply that thepackaging 25000 has been unsealed, for example.

The RFID tag 25210 is configured to communicate with an RFID scanner.Once the insulator 25220 has been removed, the internal power source ofthe RFID tag 25210 allows the RFID tag 25210 to emit the signal 25215prior to receiving a first signal, such as an interrogation signal, fromthe RFID scanner. The RFID scanner comprises a scanner antennaconfigured to transmit and/or receive radio signals 25215 from the RFIDtag 25210. In various instances, the RFID scanner comprises reading andwriting capabilities. Software on the RFID scanner is then able to passthe collected information from the RFID tag 25210 to a controller of thesurgical instrument for further interpretation. The RFID scanner ispositioned within a pre-determined range of the RFID tag 25210 thatallows for the RFID scanner to be able to receive the emitted signal25215 transmitted by the RFID tag 25210. Depending on the application,the RFID scanner can be positioned on a surgical instrument, on thecontents of the packaging, or remotely located on a console, such as aremote surgical system in communication with the surgical instrument.Additionally, the controller can be located in any suitable location,such as, for example, the surgical instrument or on a remote console.

In various embodiments, an RFID system comprising an RFID tag mounted tothe staple cartridge 25100 can be used. Further to the above, the RFIDtag comprises an internal power source positioned within the staplecartridge 25100. Suitable locations for the RFID tag include, forexample, on a sled of the staple cartridge, on a sidewall of the staplecartridge, or on a retainer of a staple cartridge assembly. Aninsulator, similar to the insulator 25220, is attached to the packaging25000 and, when the packaging 25000 is opened, the RFID tag on thestaple cartridge 25100 is activated. The insulator is attached to, orotherwise associated with, the first layer 25010 and/or the second layer25020 of the packaging 25000. When the packaging is in a sealedconfiguration, the insulator 25220 is attached to, or otherwiseconnected to, the RFID tag in the staple cartridge 25100 and holds openthe circuit between the power source and the RFID tag. The interfacebetween the insulator 25220 and the RFID tag prevents the power sourcefrom activating the RFID tag, and the RFID tag is unable to emit asignal. When a clinician breaks the seal of the packaging 25000 bypeeling away the first layer 25010, for example, the insulator 25220 isdisconnected, or otherwise disassociated, from the RFID tag and thecircuit between the power source and the RFID tag is closed. At suchpoint, the RFID tag is energized and begins to emit a signal.

In various instances, the RFID system 25200 further comprises atransponder. The transponder is configured to receive a first signalfrom an RFID scanner. In various instances, the first signal from theRFID scanner energizes the transponder to a degree sufficient for thetransponder to communicate with the RFID tag. In various instances, thetransponder is energized prior to receiving the first signal from theRFID scanner. In any event, the transponder is configured toautomatically transmit a second signal to the RFID tag upon hearing, orotherwise receiving, the first signal from the RFID scanner. The powersource of the RFID tag energizes the RFID tag upon receiving the secondsignal from the transponder, and the RFID tag is able to respond to theRFID scanner's first signal by transmitting a third signal to the RFIDscanner. The transponder preserves the battery life of the RFID tag25210 until, for example, the RFID tag 25210 is within range of the RFIDscanner.

As described in greater detail herein, it is valuable for a clinician tobe able to verify the compatibility of a staple cartridge for use with aparticular surgical instrument and/or for use during a particularsurgical procedure. For various reasons, it can be also be meaningfulfor a clinician to be able to ensure that the surgical staple cartridgehas not been previously used and/or tampered with. The clinician mayalso want to confirm, for example, that the surgical staple cartridge isnot contaminated, a staple retaining member has not been removed, and/orthat a firing member, such as a sled positioned in the cartridge body.

FIGS. 81-83 illustrate a staple cartridge assembly 26000. The staplecartridge assembly 26000 comprises a staple cartridge 26100 and a stapleretaining member, or retainer, 26200 attached to the staple cartridge26100. The retainer 26200 is positioned alongside the staple cartridge26100 to, among other things, facilitate the attachment of the staplecartridge 26100 to a surgical instrument and/or to retain the stapleswithin their respective staple cavities in the staple cartridge 26100.The retainer 26200 comprises a longitudinal projection 26210 configuredto received by an elongate slot defined in the staple cartridge 26100.The longitudinal projection 26210 projects from a bottom surface 26206of the retainer 26200 and extends from a proximal end 26202 of theretainer 26200 toward a distal end 26204 of the retainer 26200. Theretainer 26200 further comprises a proximal set of exterior projections26240 and a distal set of exterior projections 26220. The exteriorprojections 26220, 26240 are configured to wrap around a portion of asidewall 26102 of the staple cartridge 26100. The longitudinalprojection 26210 and the exterior projections 26220, 26240 serve to, forexample, hold the retainer 26200 to the staple cartridge 26100. Theretainer 26200 comprises a thumb projection 26230 extending from thedistal end 26204 to facilitate, for example, the removal of the retainer26200 from the staple cartridge 26100.

When the retainer 26200 is attached to the staple cartridge 26100, thebottom surface 26206 of the retainer 26200 is positioned alongside adeck surface 26106 of the staple cartridge 26100. In various instances,the bottom surface 26206 does not contact the deck surface 26106 of thestaple cartridge 26100 until a pushing force is applied to the top ofthe retainer 25200. In other instances, the bottom surface 20206 is incontact with the deck surface 26106. To remove the retainer 26200 fromthe staple cartridge 26100, and thus facilitate the attachment of thestaple cartridge 26100 to a surgical instrument, a clinician pulls, orlifts, the thumb projection 26230 in a direction away from the staplecartridge 26100. The retainer 26200 is manufactured from a material,such as plastic, for example, that provides a degree of flexibility tothe retainer 26200. As the thumb projection 26230 is being lifted awayfrom the staple cartridge 26100, the exterior projections 26220, 26240provide opposing forces in an effort to maintain the connection betweenthe retainer 26200 and the staple cartridge 26100. In order to removethe retainer 26200, the clinician must exert a force on the thumbprojection 26230 that is strong enough to overcome the opposingretention forces produced by the exterior projections 26220, 26240. Asthe thumb projection 26230 is pulled away from the staple cartridge26100, the retainer 26200 begins to flex and/or bend, such bending ofthe retainer 26200 can be used to deactivate a RFID tag, as describedbelow.

The retainer 26200 further comprises an RFID tag 26250. The RFID tag26250 comprises a chip, such as a microchip, for example, that storesinformation about the staple cartridge assembly 26000. As shown in FIGS.81-83, the RFID tag 26250 is molded into the retainer 26200. However,the RFID tag 26250 can be embedded within, mounted to, and/or attachedto the retainer 26200 by any suitable method. In the depictedembodiment, the RFID tag 26250 is molded into a distal portion of thelongitudinal projection 26210. The RFID tag 26250 is positioned withinthe retainer 26200 at a structurally weak location. The structurallyweak location can be any portion of the retainer 26200 that bends and/orflexes in response to the upward pulling of the thumb projection 26230and/or removal of the retainer 26200 from the staple cartridge 26100.The RFID tag 26250 is affixed to the retainer 26200 in a manner and alocation that facilitates physical destruction of the RFID tag 26250during the retainer removal process. A first end 26252 of the RFID tag26250 is attached to a first portion 26212 of the retainer 26200, and asecond end 26254 of the RFID tag 26250 is attached to a second portion26214 of the retainer 26200. As the retainer 26200 begins to bend inresponse to upward pulling on the thumb projection 26230, the firstportion 26212 of the retainer 26200 and the second portion 26214 of theretainer flex apart from one another. The first end 26252 of the RFIDtag 26250 is pulled by the first portion 26212 of the retainer 26200,and the second end 26254 of the RFID tag 26250 is pulled in an oppositedirection by the second portion 26214 of the retainer 26200. As a resultof the stretching and/or flexing, the RFID tag 26250 is pulled apartand/or otherwise destroyed. The RFID tag 26250 is frangible, brittle,and/or fragile and is not configured to stretch significantly. It isenvisioned that the RFID tag 26250 can be positioned at any suitablelocation on the retainer 26200 that experiences sufficient bending andflexing during the removal process of the retainer 26200 from the staplecartridge 26100 to cause destruction of the RFID tag 26250. The RFID tag26250 can be affixed to the retainer 26200 in any suitable manner thatrenders the RFID tag 26250 inoperable during and/or after the removal ofthe retainer 26200 from the staple cartridge 26100. In variousembodiments, the RFID tag 26250 can disassociate, or become detached,from the retainer 26200 during the removal process.

In various instances, breaking a component of a surgical system isundesirable. However, the destruction of the RFID tag 26250 in theretainer 26200 prevents a clinician from reusing the retainer 26200 withincompatible, or otherwise inappropriate, staple cartridges. Prior toenabling at least one operating parameter of a surgical instrument, acontroller of the surgical instrument must receive a signal from theRFID tag 26250 on the retainer 26200. Such a signal indicates to thecontroller that the retainer 26200 remains connected to the staplecartridge 26100. In various instances, the signal can also indicate thatthe staple cartridge 26100 is compatible or incompatible with thesurgical instrument. Without receiving the signal and/or receiving anincompatible signal, various functions of the surgical instrument areunavailable. In various instances, and as described below, the RFID tag26250 in the retainer 26200 must lose the ability to send and/ortransmit signals with the RFID scanner. The RFID tag 26250 can lose theability to communicate through physical destruction and/or positioningof the RFID tag 26250 outside of the range of the RFID scanner. In anyevent, the inability for the RFID tag 26250 to communicate with the RFIDscanner indicates to the controller of the surgical instrument that theretainer 26200 is no longer connected to the staple cartridge 26100. Thephysical destruction of the RFID tag 26250 on the retainer 26200 ensuresthat a clinician is unable to reuse the retainer 26200 on anincompatible staple cartridge. In various instances, the staplecartridge 26100 comprises an RFID tag that is in the communication rangeof the RFID scanner. When the controller receives information detectedfrom the staple cartridge RFID tag but not the retainer RFID tag 26250,the controller is configured to recognize that the staple cartridge26100 remains attached to the surgical instrument, but the retainer26200 was removed.

The RFID tag 26250 in the retainer 26200 provides a lockout for thesurgical instrument. The surgical instrument will not perform a staplefiring stroke if the information stored on the RFID tag 26250 is notreceived by a controller of the surgical instrument. In variousinstances, the surgical instrument will not perform a staple firingstroke when the RFID tag 26250 is still in communication with the RFIDscanner. Such a lockout prevents the surgical instrument from performinga staple firing stroke when the staple cartridge 26100 has beeninappropriately seated in the surgical instrument with the retainer26200 still attached.

In various instances, the staple cartridge 26100 and the retainer 26200are assembled into the staple cartridge assembly 26000 by amanufacturer. In such circumstances, the retainer 26200 is removed fromthe staple cartridge 26100 only when the staple cartridge 26100 has beeninserted for use with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridgeassembly 26000 has been tampered with, and/or there was a manufacturingdefect inhibiting proper attachment. Disassociation and/or physicaldestruction of the RFID tag 26250 prevents, for example, placement of aretainer 26200 on a used and/or otherwise inappropriate staple cartridge26100.

As mentioned in greater detail herein, a surgical instrument cancomprise an RFID scanner configured to communicate with nearby RFIDtags. The RFID scanner comprises a scanner antenna configured totransmit radio signals. The radio signals activate RFID tags that arepositioned within a pre-determined range of the RFID scanner. The RFIDscanner then receives one or more response signals that are “bouncedback” from the RFID tag. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise the same signal as the interrogation signal. In variousinstances, the one or more response signals comprise a modified signalfrom the interrogation signal. In various instances, the RFID scannercomprises reading and writing capabilities. Software on the RFID scanneris then able to pass the collected information from the RFID tag to acontroller for further interpretation. The controller can be positionedin the surgical instrument, the remote console, or in any suitablelocation. The RFID scanner and/or the controller can comprise a storedset of information that corresponds to surgical stapling assemblies thatare compatible with a particular surgical instrument and/or for useduring a particular surgical procedure.

More specifically, the surgical system comprises an RFID scannerconfigured to interact with the RFID tag 26250 molded into the retainer26200. The RFID scanner can be present in various locations. Forexample, the RFID scanner can be located in the staple cartridge 26100.In various instances, the RFID scanner can be located in a jaw of an endeffector of a surgical instrument, in an alternative location within thesurgical system, and/or any other suitable location that would allow forcommunication between the RFID tag 26250 and the RFID scanner when theretainer 26200 is appropriately attached to the staple cartridge 26100.The RFID scanner and/or the RFID tag 26250 are powered such that thesignal(s) they emit can only be detected within a limited radius. TheRFID scanner and the RFID tag 26250 are close enough to be incommunication when the retainer 26200 is attached to the staplecartridge 26100, but are not close enough to communicate when theretainer 26200 is removed from the staple cartridge 26100. That said, asthe retainer 26200 is removed from the staple cartridge 26100, the RFIDtag 26250 is rendered inoperable through, for example, physicaldestruction or disassociation. When the RFID tag 26250 is inoperable,the signals, such as interrogation signals, sent by the RFID scanner gounanswered.

If a used retainer having a destroyed RFID tag 26250 is attached toanother staple cartridge, the RFID scanner and the destroyed RFID tag26250 will be unable to communicate. In such instances, the staplecartridge verification system of the surgical instrument will be unableto permit the surgical instrument to perform a staple firing stroke. Ifthe RFID scanner receives a response to the interrogation signal that isnot found within a stored set of compatible stapling assemblies, thecontroller of the surgical instrument is programmed to communicate anerror to the clinician. Likewise, if the RFID scanner does not receive aresponse to the interrogation signal, the controller of the surgicalinstrument is programmed to communicate an error to the clinician. Invarious instances, the detection of an error by the controller canrender the surgical instrument inoperable for use with that particularstaple cartridge. In various instances, a detected error can prevent thesurgical instrument from performing a staple firing stroke and/or tissuecutting stroke. In various instances, the surgical instrument furthercomprises a manual override that can be activated to allow a clinicianto override any system lockout and utilize operational functions of thesurgical instrument in an emergency. As discussed above, the controlleris configured to alert the clinician that an error has been detected.Such an alert can be communicated through various forms of feedback,including, for example, haptic, acoustic, and/or visual feedback. In atleast one instance, the feedback comprises audio feedback, and thesurgical instrument can comprise a speaker which emits a sound, such asa beep, for example, when an error is detected. In certain instances,the feedback comprises visual feedback and the surgical instrument cancomprise a light emitting diode (LED), for example, which flashes whenan error is detected. In various instances, the feedback compriseshaptic feedback and the surgical instrument can comprise an electricmotor comprising an eccentric element which vibrates when an error isdetected. The alert can be specific or generic. For example, the alertcan specifically state that the RFID tag 26250 on the retainer 26200 isunable to be detected, or the alert can specifically state that the RFIDtag 26250 comprises information representative of an incompatible and/ordefective staple cartridge assembly 26000.

FIG. 84 illustrates a staple cartridge assembly 27000. The staplecartridge assembly comprises a staple cartridge 27100. The staplecartridge 27100 comprises a staple cartridge body including a base27104, a deck surface 27106, and sidewalls 27102 extending between thebase 27104 and the deck surface 27106. An elongate slot 27110 is definedin the staple cartridge 27100 and extends from a proximal end 27101toward a distal end of the staple cartridge 27100. The elongate slot27100 is sized to facilitate a firing and/or cutting member to passthere through, such as a sled 27125, during a staple firing stroke.Channels 27120 are defined within the staple cartridge 27100 that extendfrom the proximal end 27101 toward the distal end of the staplecartridge 27100. Each channel 27120 is configured to receive a ramp of asled 27125. The staple cartridge 27100 further comprises longitudinalrows of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body and staplesremovably stored in the staple cavities. The staples are ejected fromthe staple cartridge 27100 by the sled 27125 during the staple firingstroke.

The staple cartridge assembly 27000 further comprises an RFID system27200. The RFID system 27200 comprises an RFID tag 27250 mounted to thestaple cartridge assembly 27000 and an RFID scanner 27300 mounted to thesurgical instrument. The RFID tag 27250 comprises a chip, such as amicrochip, for example, that stores information about the staplecartridge assembly 27000. In various instances, the chip comprises abasic identification number of the staple cartridge 27100. In variousinstances, the chip comprises additional information such as, forexample, manufacturing data, shipping data, and/or compatibility data.The RFID tag 27250 further comprises a radio antenna configured toreceive an interrogation signal from and send a response signal to theRFID scanner 27300. The RFID scanner 27300 is configured to communicatewith the RFID tag 27250 when the staple cartridge 27100 is seated in thesurgical instrument. The RFID scanner 27300 comprises a scanner antennaconfigured to transmit and receive radio signals, for example. Thatsaid, the RFID system 27200 can use any suitable frequency. Aselectromagnetic waves behave differently at the various frequencies, thedesired frequency is selected based on the particular application. Invarious instances, the RFID system 27200 can utilize low frequencies,high frequencies, and/or ultra-high frequencies. The radio signalsactivate RFID tags that are positioned within a pre-determined range ofthe RFID scanner 27300. The RFID scanner 27300 then receives one or moreresponse signals that are “bounced back” from the RFID tag. In variousinstances, the one or more response signals comprise the same signal asthe interrogation signal. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise a modified signal from the interrogation signal. Invarious instances, the RFID scanner 27300 comprises reading and writingcapabilities. Software on the RFID scanner 27300 is then able to passthe collected information from the RFID tag to a controller for furtherinterpretation. The controller can be positioned in the surgicalinstrument, on a remote console, or in any suitable location. The RFIDscanner and/or the controller can comprise a stored set of informationthat corresponds to surgical stapling assemblies that are compatiblewith a particular surgical instrument and/or a particular surgicalprocedure.

As discussed above, the RFID scanner 27300 in the surgical instrument isconfigured to interact with the RFID tag 27250 positioned on the staplecartridge 27100. As shown in FIG. 84, the RFID tag 27250 is affixed toone of the sidewalls 27102 of the staple cartridge 27100 and the RFIDscanner 27300 is mounted within the surgical instrument. As describedabove, the RFID tag 27250 comprises a radio antenna 27252 and a chip27254. In the depicted embodiment, the radio antenna 27252 and the chip27254 are positioned within the RFID tag 27250. In various instances,the radio antenna 27252 is positioned on an exterior surface of the RFIDtag 27250. The RFID tag 27250 is positioned a distance “D” away from theRFID scanner 27300 when the staple cartridge 27100 is seated in thesurgical instrument. Notably, the distance “D” can be approximately ¼ ofthe length of the staple cartridge 27100, ⅓ of the length of the staplecartridge 27100, or ½ of the length of the staple cartridge 27100, forexample. In the depicted embodiment, the communication range 27255 ofthe RFID tag's radio antenna and the RFID scanner's antenna spansapproximately 1 centimeter (cm), for example. The distance “D” isgreater than 1 cm, and thus, is outside of the range of communication27255 between the RFID scanner 27300 and the radio antenna 27252 of theRFID tag 27250. As such, the RFID tag 27250 is unable to receiveinterrogation signals and respond to interrogation signals from the RFIDscanner 27300 absent more.

In order to facilitate communication with the RFID scanner 27300, theRFID tag system 27200 depicted in FIG. 84 further comprises an extendedantenna 27260 in communication with the RFID tag 27250. The extendedantenna 27260 serves to, for example, broaden the range of communicationof the RFID tag 27250 as compared to the radio antenna 27252. Theextended antenna 27260 extends along, and is attached to, the sidewall27102 and across a portion of the base 27104 of the staple cartridge27100. At least a portion of the extended antenna 27260 traverses theelongate slot 27110. In the depicted embodiment, the communication range27265 of the extended antenna 27260 spans approximately 2 centimeters(cm), for example. As previously discussed, the RFID scanner 27300 ispositioned at a distance “D” from the RFID tag 27250. While the distance“D” is greater than 1 cm, the distance “D” is less than 2 cm, and thus,is within the range of communication 27265 by way of the extendedantenna 27260 and the RFID scanner antenna. With the extended antenna27260, the RFID tag 27250 is able to receive interrogation signals andrespond to interrogation signals from the RFID scanner 27300. Withoutthe extended antenna 27260, however, the RFID tag 27250 could notcommunicate with the RFID scanner 27300. The RFID tag 27250 and theextended antenna 27260 can be attached to the staple cartridge 27100 inany suitable manner, including, for example, mounted on, embeddedwithin, and/or affixed to the staple cartridge 27100. Furthermore, theRFID tag 27250 can be positioned at any suitable location on the staplecartridge 27100, such as on the base 27104 and/or the deck surface27106, for example.

As previously discussed, at least a portion of the extended antenna27260 traverses the elongate slot 27110 of the staple cartridge 27100.During a staple firing stroke, a tissue cutting and/or staple firingmember is configured to longitudinally translate through the elongateslot 27110 during the staple firing stroke and, in the process,transect, or otherwise destroy, the extended antenna 27260. The portionof the extended antenna 27260 that traverses the elongate slot 27110 ispositioned at a location proximal to the proximal-most staple cavities.As such, the extended antenna 27260 is only functional prior to thecommencement of a staple firing stroke. Any distal movement of a tissuecutting and/or staple firing member that results in the firing ofstaples renders the extended antenna 27260 inoperable. The extendedantenna 27260 can be rendered inoperable in any suitable manner. Forexample, the extended antenna 27260 can be cut, and thus, physicallydestroyed, by the tissue cutting member. In various instances, theextended antenna 27260 can disassociate from the RFID tag 27250 and/orthe staple cartridge 27100 in response to forces exerted by the tissuecutting and staple firing member. Notably, the staple firing stroke doesnot damage the radio antenna 27252 of the RFID tag 27250. However, therange of the radio antenna 27252 is insufficient to facilitatecommunication between the RFID tag 27250 and the RFID scanner 27300. Assuch, disassociation of the extended antenna 27260 can alter thecommunication range 27265 of the RFID tag 27250 and remove the abilityfor the RFID tag 27250 to communicate with the RFID scanner 27300.

Destroying the extended antenna 27260 in this manner does not negativelyimpact the operation of the surgical instrument. Stated another way, theextended antenna 27260 is not destroyed until after the staple cartridge271000 has been authenticated. As such, the staple firing stroke can beperformed after the extended antenna 27260 has been destroyed. Thatsaid, once the extended antenna 27260 has been destroyed and the staplecartridge 27100 has been removed from the surgical instrument, reseatingthe staple cartridge 27100 in the surgical instrument will notre-authenticate the staple cartridge 27100 as the RFID scanner can nolonger communicated with the RFID tag 27250. Such an arrangement servesas a spent cartridge lockout, among other things.

As discussed above, in instances where the extended antenna 27260 isinoperable, the RFID scanner 27300 does not receive a response to itsinterrogation signal. When the RFID scanner 27300 does not receive aresponse to the interrogation signal, the controller of the surgicalinstrument is programmed to recognize an error. In instances where theRFID scanner 27300 receives a response to its interrogation signal thatis unable to be recognized and/or does not signify a compatible staplecartridge assembly 27000, the controller of the surgical instrument isalso programmed to recognize an error. In various instances, thedetection of error by the controller can render the surgical instrumentinoperable for use with the staple cartridge assembly 27000. In variousinstances, a detected error can prevent the surgical instrument fromperforming a staple firing stroke and/or tissue cutting stroke when thestaple cartridge assembly 27000 is attached to the surgical instrument.A manual override can be activated to allow a clinician to override anysystem lockout and utilize operational functions of the surgicalinstrument in an emergency. In various instances, the controller isconfigured to alert the clinician that an error has been detected. Suchan alert can be communicated through various forms of feedback,including, for example, haptic, acoustic, and/or visual feedback. Thealert can be specific or generic. For example, the alert canspecifically state that the RFID tag 27250 is unable to be detected, orthe alert can specifically state that the RFID tag 27250 comprisesinformation representative of an incompatible and/or defective staplecartridge assembly 27000.

The portion of the extended antenna 27260 that traverses the elongateslot 27110 can be located at any suitable position along the elongateslot 27110. For example, the extended antenna 27260 can traverse theelongate slot 27110 at a location in line with or slightly proximal tothe distal-most staple cavities. In such an embodiment, as the tissuecutting and staple firing stroke is completed, the extended antenna27260 is rendered inoperable. When the RFID scanner 27300 is unable tocommunicate with the RFID tag 27250 in this scenario, the clinicianwould be able to, for example, confirm that an entire staple firingstroke was completed. Furthermore, the RFID tag 27250 can be positionedat any suitable location on the staple cartridge 27100, such as, forexample, on the base 27104 and/or the deck surface 27106 of the staplecartridge 27100.

In various instances, the extended antenna 27260 comprises a firstantenna that is configured to traverse the elongate slot 27110 of thestaple cartridge 27100 and a second antenna that does not traverse theelongate slot 27110 of the staple cartridge 27100. In other words, thesecond antenna is not transected by the firing member during the staplefiring stroke. When the first antenna is transected by the firingmember, the communication range of the RFID tag 27250 is diminished.However, the communication range of the RFID tag 27250 can be bolsteredusing the first antenna that was not transected by the firing memberduring the staple firing stroke.

FIG. 85 depicts an exemplary RFID system 28200 that can be incorporatedinto a surgical instrument, such as the surgical instrument 400discussed herein, for example. The RFID system 28200 can be integratedinto, for example, a staple cartridge, an end effector jaw, and/or anyother suitable location within the surgical instrument. The RFID system28200 comprises an RFID tag 28250 and an RFID scanner system 28300. Thestructure and functionality of the RFID tag 28250 is similar to the RFIDtags discussed herein, such as the RFID tags 26250, 27250, for example.The RFID scanner system 28300 comprises a first RFID scanner 28310 and asecond RFID scanner 28320. The functionality of the RFID scanners 28310,28320 is similar to other RFID scanners discussed herein, such as theRFID scanner 27300, for example.

The RFID tag 28250 comprises a chip, such as a microchip, for example,that stores information about a replaceable component within thesurgical system. In various instances, the chip comprises anidentification number of a staple cartridge. In various instances, thechip comprises additional information such as, for example, themanufacturing data, shipping data, and/or other compatibility data ofthe staple cartridge. The RFID tag 28250 further comprises a radioantenna configured to receive an interrogation signal from one and/orboth of the RFID scanners 28310, 28320.

Each RFID scanner 28310, 28320 comprises a scanner antenna configured totransmit radio signals. The radio signals activate the RFID tag 28250that is positioned within a pre-determined range of the RFID scanner28310. The RFID scanner 28310, then receives one or more responsesignals that are “bounced back” from the RFID tag 28250. In variousinstances, the one or more response signals comprise the same signal asthe interrogation signal. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise a modified signal from the interrogation signal. Thesecond RFID scanner 28320 is also configured to transmit a signal to theRFID tag 28250.

In various instances, the RFID scanner 28310 comprises reading andwriting capabilities. Software on the RFID scanner 28310 is then able topass the collected information from the RFID tag 28250 to a controllerfor further interpretation. The controller can be positioned in thesurgical instrument, on a remote console, or in any suitable location.The second RFID scanner 28320 could also be used in this way.

The RFID scanner system 28300 comprises a flex circuit, wherein the flexcircuit comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layerfunctions as a first RFID scanner 28310, and the second layer functionsas a second RFID scanner 28320. The RFID scanners 28310, 28320 furthercomprise an RF amplifier which determines the power of the signal to betransmitted by the RFID scanners 28310, 28320 and amplifies theinterrogation signal to the desired power level. When energized, thefirst layer 28310 is configured to transmit a signal 2815 withapproximately 1 watt of power, or less. When energized, the second layer28320 is configured to send a signal 28325 with more than 1 watt ofpower. In fact, the amplifier is in communication with the controller ofthe surgical instrument and, as described in greater detail below, thesignal of the second RFID scanner 28320 can be transmitted with powerwell in excess of 1 watt.

Prior to a staple firing stroke, the first RFID scanner 28310 isenergized. As shown in FIG. 86, the first RFID scanner 28310 sends aninterrogation signal 28315 to the RFID tag 28250. The RFID tag 28250receives the energy, or interrogation signal 28315, using the radioantenna of the RFID tag 28250. The received energy travels through thetag's antenna, and a portion of the received energy is used to activatethe chip and prepare for transmission of data based on commands receivedfrom the first RFID scanner 28310. The activation of the chip allows thechip to modulate the received energy with the information stored in theRFID tag 28250 and “reflect” the remaining energy back in the form of aresponse signal 28255. The chip transmits a response signal 28255 thatis the same as and/or different than the interrogation signal back tothe RFID scanner 28310. The response signal 28255 is received by thefirst RFID scanner's antenna in order for the first RFID scanner 28310to recover the information stored on the RFID tag 28250.

After the commencement of the staple firing stroke, the second RFIDscanner 28320 is energized in addition to and/or in lieu of the firstRFID scanner 28310. As shown in FIG. 87, both the first RFID scanner28310 and the second RFID scanner 28320 send interrogation signals28315, 28325 to the RFID tag 28250 at the same time. The RFID tag 28250receives the energy from both interrogation signals 28315, 28325 usingthe radio antenna of the RFID tag 28250. The received energy totalsapproximately 2 watts of power, for example, and exceeds the operatingpower threshold of the RFID tag 28250 of 1 watt, for example. The RFIDtag 28250 is rendered inoperable when it receives the interrogationsignals 28315, 28325 from both the first RFID scanner 28310 and thesecond RFID scanner 28320. In various instances, the RFID tag 28250overheats due to the operating power threshold being exceeded. Theincrease in heat can, for example, burn a fuse within the RFID tag, melta portion of the RFID tag, and/or otherwise render the RFID tag 28250inoperable.

Destroying the RFID tag 28250 in this manner does not negatively effectthe operation of the surgical instrument. Stated another way, thedestruction of the RFID tag 28250 does not occur until after the staplecartridge has been authenticated by the surgical instrument. Instead,once the staple cartridge has been authenticated, the surgicalinstrument can be used to perform the staple firing stroke, among otherfunctions. After the staple firing stroke and/or after the staplecartridge is removed from the surgical instrument, the staple cartridgecannot be re-authenticated by the surgical instrument and, thus, thestaple cartridge cannot be reused. This system serves as a spentcartridge lockout, among other things.

In any event, the RFID tag 28250 is unable to receive signals from anRFID scanner and/or transmit signals to an RFID scanner in theinoperable configuration. When the first RFID scanner 28310 does notreceive a response to its interrogation signals 28315, the controller ofthe surgical instrument is configured to communicate an error to theclinician. In instances where the first RFID scanner 28310 receives aresponse to its interrogation signal 28315 that is unable to berecognized and/or does not represent a compatible staple cartridgeassembly, the controller of the surgical instrument is also programmedto communicate an error to the clinician. In various instances, thecommunication of a detected error from the controller can render thesurgical instrument inoperable when the staple cartridge assembly isattached. In various instances, a detected error can prevent thesurgical instrument from performing a staple firing stroke and/or tissuecutting stroke while the staple cartridge assembly is attached. A manualoverride can be activated to allow a clinician to override any systemlockout and utilize operational functions of the surgical instrument inan emergency. In various instances, the controller is configured toalert the clinician that an error has been detected. Such an alert canbe communicated through various forms of feedback, including, forexample, haptic, acoustic, and/or visual feedback. The alert can bespecific or generic. For example, the alert can specifically state thatthe RFID tag 28250 is unable to be detected, or the alert canspecifically state that the RFID tag 28250 comprises informationrepresentative of an incompatible and/or defective staple cartridgeassembly.

As discussed above, the first RFID scanner 28310 can be used tocommunicate with the RFID tag 28250 and the combined operation of thefirst RFID scanner 28310 and the second RFID scanner 28320 can be usedto destroy the RFID tag 28250. Alternatively, the first RFID scanner28310 can be used to communicate with the RFID tag 28250 and the secondRFID scanner 28320 can be used to destroy the RFID tag 28250. In thisembodiment, the first RFID scanner 28310 uses a power below a thresholdand the second RFID scanner 28320 uses a power above the threshold.Also, alternatively, a second RFID scanner may not be used as both thecommunication and destruction functions can be performed by a singlescanner. In at least one such instance, the signal amplifier is used totransmit signals below a power threshold to communicate and signalsabove the power threshold to destroy.

FIGS. 88-89A illustrate a cartridge lockout system 29000. The cartridgelockout system 29000 is configured to prevent a surgical instrument fromperforming a staple firing stroke when an incompatible and/or spentstaple cartridge is detected. When an unspent, compatible staplecartridge is detected, the controller of the surgical instrument permitsthe staple firing stroke to be performed. One such compatible staplecartridge includes staple cartridge 29100, for example.

The staple cartridge 29100 comprises a cartridge body including acartridge deck 29106, a base 29104, and sidewalls 29108 extendingbetween the cartridge deck 29106 and the base 29104. A plurality ofstaple cavities 29107 are defined in the cartridge body. The staplecavities 29107 are arranged in longitudinal rows, and a staple isremovably supported within each staple cavity 29107. The staplecartridge 29100 further comprises a proximal end 29102 and a distal end.An elongate slot 29110 extends from the proximal end 29102 toward thedistal end and is configured to receive a firing member 29210 during astaple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 29100 further comprises awedge sled 29125 and channels 29120 defined within the cartridge body.The wedge sled 29125 is configured to drive staples out of the cartridgebody and toward an anvil during the staple firing stroke. The channels29120 are configured to receive ramps of the wedge sled 29125 as thewedge sled 29125 is translated through the staple cartridge 29100 duringthe staple firing stroke. Detents are formed on the inside of thechannels 29120 to, among other things, interface with the ramps of thewedge sled 29125 and to control the lateral position of the wedge sled29125 within the channels 29120. In at least one instance, ribs can beused to releasably hold the wedge sled 29125 in a proximal, unfiredposition.

The staple cartridge 29100 further comprises an RFID tag 29250. The RFIDtag 29250 comprises a chip, such as a microchip, for example, thatstores information about the staple cartridge 29100. In variousinstances, the chip comprises a basic identification number. In variousinstances, the chip comprises additional information such as, forexample, manufacturing data, shipping data, and/or compatibility data.The RFID tag 26250 further comprises a radio antenna configured toreceive an interrogation signal from an RFID scanner. As shown in FIGS.88 and 89, the RFID tag 29250 is affixed to one of the sidewalls 29108of the staple cartridge 29100. However, it is envisioned that the RFIDtag 29250 can be embedded within the staple cartridge 29100 and/orattached to the staple cartridge 29100 in any suitable manner and/or inany suitable location.

The surgical system further comprises an RFID scanner. The RFID scannercomprises a scanner antenna configured to transmit radio signals. Theradio signals activate RFID tags that are positioned within apre-determined transmission range of the RFID scanner. The RFID scannerthen receives one or more response signals 29255 that are “bounced back”from the RFID tag. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise the same signal as the interrogation signal. In variousinstances, the one or more response signals comprise a modified signalfrom the interrogation signal. The RFID scanner can be positioned invarious locations, such as, for example, the staple cartridge 29100, theend effector of the surgical instrument, and/or a console remotelypositioned with respect to the surgical instrument. In other words, theRFID scanner can be positioned in any suitable location that allows theRFID scanner to communicate with the RFID tag 29250 as the staplecartridge 29100 is being seated into and/or once the staple cartridge29100 is seated in the end effector of the surgical instrument. Invarious instances, the RFID scanner comprises reading and writingcapabilities. Software on the RFID scanner is able to pass the collectedinformation 29255 from the RFID tag 29250 to a controller for furtherinterpretation. The controller can be positioned in the surgicalinstrument or in any suitable location. The RFID scanner and/or thecontroller can comprise a stored set of information that corresponds tostaple cartridges that are compatible with the particular surgicalinstrument and/or for use during a particular surgical procedure.

Based on the collected information 29255 from the RFID tag 29250, thecontroller can maintain, activate, and/or deactivate a cartridge lockoutassembly, such as the cartridge lockout assembly 29000, for example. Thecartridge lockout assembly 29000 comprises a lockout bar 29300. Thelockout bar 29300 comprises a proximal end 29302 and a distal end 29304.The distal end 29304 of the lockout bar 29300 is configured to interfacewith the wedge sled 29125 as the staple cartridge 29100 is being seatedin the jaw of the end effector. The lockout bar 29300 is sized to fitwithin one of the channels 29120 formed in the cartridge body. Theproximal end 29302 of the lockout bar 29300 comprises a lateralprojection, or flange, 29310. The proximal end 29302 of the lockout bar29300 is engaged with a firing bar 29200 of the staple firing drive suchthat the lockout bar 29300 and the firing bar 29200 move together. Thefiring bar 29200 comprises a groove 29225 which receives the lateralprojection 29310 of the lockout bar 29300.

The cartridge lockout assembly 29000 further comprises a blocking boltassembly 29400. In the depicted embodiment, the blocking bolt assembly29400 comprises a solenoid. The blocking bolt assembly 29400 comprises alocking bolt 29410, a resilient member 29420, and an inductive coil29430. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 88-89A, the resilient member29420 is a spring, although any resilient member can be used. Theblocking bolt assembly 29400 is configurable in an unlockedconfiguration and a locked configuration. The locking bolt 29410 and theresilient member 29420 are positioned in a housing 29405 of the blockingbolt assembly 29400. The resilient member 29240 biases the locking bolt29410 into its locked configuration. In the locked configuration, aportion of the locking bolt 29410 extends outside of the housing 29405.In the unlocked configuration, the locking bolt 29410 is entirelypositioned within the housing 29405.

The blocking bolt assembly 29400 is placed in the unlocked configurationby the controller when a compatible staple cartridge 29100 has beendetected by the controller. A compatible staple cartridge 29100 isdetected when the RFID tag 29250 emits a signal 29255 that correspondsto a stored set of information within the RFID scanner, and/or thecontroller, and/or when the clinician overrides the controller. In suchinstances, the controller is configured to activate the inductive coil29430 of the blocking bolt assembly 29400. The controller applies avoltage source to the coil 29430 to active the coil 29430. Activatingthe inductive coil 29430 generates a magnetic field that pulls thelocking bolt 29410 into the housing 29405. To this end, the locking bolt29410 is comprised of iron, nickel, and/or any suitable magneticmaterial. That said, the resilient member 29420 is compressed by themovement of the locking bolt 29410 and, as such, the resilient member29240 opposes the movement of the locking bolt 29410. In any event, thelocking bolt 29410 is retracted a sufficient amount to be out of thepath of the lockout bar 29300. At such point, the staple firing strokecan be performed. If the staple cartridge 29100 is removed from thesurgical instrument, the controller will deactivate the inductive coil29430 thereby allowing the resilient member 29240 to re-extend thelocking bolt 29410.

When a staple cartridge 29100 is being seated into the jaw of the endeffector, further to the above, the distal end 29304 of the lockout bar29300 comes into contact with the sled 29125 of the staple cartridge29100. If the locking bolt 29410 has been retracted, the proximal end29302 of the lockout bar 29300 is pushed proximally by the sled 29125 ofthe staple cartridge 29100 as the clinician attempts to seat the staplecartridge 29100 within the jaw. In such instances, the lockout bar 29300is configured to freely translate in the proximal direction. The lack ofresistance against the proximal movement of the lockout bar 29300 allowsthe lockout bar 29300 to move without displacing the wedge sled 29125 inthe staple cartridge 29100. In other words, the retention forces actingon the wedge sled 29125 by the detents within the channels 29120 aresufficient enough to maintain the wedge sled 29125 in its currentposition while pushing the lockout bar 29300 when the staple cartridge29100 is seated in the surgical instrument.

As discussed above, the blocking bolt assembly 29400 is in the lockedconfiguration when an incompatible staple cartridge 29100′ has beendetected. As illustrated in FIG. 89, an incompatible staple cartridge29100′ is detected when the RFID tag 29250 emits a signal 29255′ thatdoes not correspond to a stored set of information within the RFIDscanner and/or the controller. In various instances, a staple cartridge29100′ is deemed incompatible by the controller of the surgicalinstrument when the RFID scanner is unable to detect a signal from aRFID tag. When the emitted signal 29255′, or lack of signal, isindicative of an incompatible staple cartridge 29100′, the inductivecoil 29430 of the blocking bolt assembly 29400 is not activated by thecontroller. Without activing the inductive coil 29430, the biasingmember 29420 holds a portion of the locking bolt 29410 extends outsideof the housing 29405. When a staple cartridge 29100′ is being seatedinto the jaw of the end effector and the locking bolt 29410 is extended,the distal end 29304 of the lockout bar 29300 comes into contact withthe sled 29125 of the staple cartridge 29100′. The lockout bar 29300 isprevented from translating in the proximal direction, as the lockingbolt 29410 is in its path. In such instances, the resistance provided bythe locking bolt 29410 against the lockout bar 29300 exceeds theretention forces provided by the detents in the channel 29120 holdingthe wedge sled 29125 in place. As such, the wedge sled 29125 isdisplaced distally from its unfired position when the staple cartridge29100′ is seated and the locking bolt 29410 is not retracted. The distalmovement of the wedge sled 29125 from its unfired position spends thestaple cartridge 29100′, even though no staples have been fired from thestaple cartridge 29100′. The firing lockout systems disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,143,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING AFIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, which issued on Dec. 5, 2006; U.S.Pat. No. 7,044,352, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUTMECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING, which issued on May 16, 2006; U.S.Pat. No. 7,000,818, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATEDISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006; U.S.Pat. No. 6,988,649, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENTCARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, which issued on Jan. 24, 2006; and U.S. Pat. No.6,978,921, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRINGMECHANISM, which issued on Dec. 27, 2005, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entireties, would mechanically prevent thestaple firing stroke from being performed in such instances.

FIG. 90 depicts a motor control circuit 30000 for use in controlling thecartridge lockout assembly 29000. Various details of the motor controlcircuit 30000 are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2010/0075474, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTINGINSTRUMENT, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. A battery, or other suitable power source, 30064 powers anelectric motor 30065. When a clinician initially pulls in a firingtrigger of the surgical instrument, a run motor (or fire) switch 30110is closed. When the run motor switch 30110 is closed, a safety switch isclosed, and a lockout switch is opened, current flows through the safetyswitch, through a lockout indicator 30244, and to the motor 30065. Whenthe end of the staple firing stroke is reached, an end-of-stroke ordirection switch 30130 is switched, reversing the direction of the motor30065. The circuit 30000 may also comprise a manual return switch 30348.The clinician may manually flip this switch 30348 if the firing member,such as the firing member 29210, has only been partially fired.Switching the manual return switch 30348 causes the motor 30065 toreverse rotate, causing the firing member to return to its original orhome position.

The motor control circuit 30000 further comprises a cartridge lockoutswitch 30300. When a controller 30310 determines, through receivedsignals from an RFID tag, such as RFID tag 29250, that a compatiblestaple cartridge is being seated in the end effector, an inductive coil30320 is energized. The energizing of the inductive coil 30320 closesthe cartridge lockout switch 30300 and allows the compatible staplecartridge to be seated within the end effector without displacement of awedge sled of the staple cartridge. When a controller 30310 determines,through received signals from an RFID tag, such as RFID tag 29250, thatan incompatible staple cartridge is being seated in the end effector,the inductive coil 30320′ is not energized. The inactive inductive coil30320′ allows the cartridge lockout switch 30300 to remain open. Acartridge lockout, such as the cartridge lockout 29000, then causesdistal displacement of the wedge sled within the incompatible surgicalcartridge. The surgical instrument is then unable to perform a staplefiring stroke while the incompatible surgical cartridge is attached.

Various surgical instruments are comprised of replaceable componentsthat are required to be replaced prior to the start of and/or during asurgical procedure. For example, a surgical stapling instrument, such asthe surgical stapling instrument 400, comprises a replaceable staplecartridge. A clinician may desire and/or need to replace the staplecartridge for various reasons such as, for example, the type of surgicalprocedure being performed, the thickness of the tissue being treatedduring the surgical procedure, and/or the state of the staple cartridge.The state of the staple cartridge corresponds to, for example, whetheror not the staple cartridge is spent, i.e., whether one or more of thestaples from within the staple cartridge was ejected during a staplefiring stroke.

As described in greater detail herein, various identification systems,such as RFID tags, QR codes, and/or bar codes, for example, can bepositioned throughout a surgical system. For example, and as shown inFIG. 91, a first RFID tag 31560 a is located on a cartridge body 31510of a staple cartridge 31500, a second RFID tag 31560 b is located on awedge sled 31550 of the staple cartridge 31500, and a third RFID tag31560 c is located on a retainer 31570 of the staple cartridge 31500.Each RFID tag comprises a chip storing information relating to, amongother things, a state of the staple cartridge assembly, staple cartridgeidentification, and/or compatibility of the staple cartridge assemblywith a specific surgical instrument. To ensure patient safety and theproper assembly of the components within the surgical system, amongother things, the information stored on each chip is encrypted.Encryption of the information on the chips provides that only authorizedparties can access the stored information and those who are notauthorized cannot. In other words, if the information stored on thechips is unable to be decrypted, the surgical system will be unable tobe assembled with the incompatible assembled components and/or one ormore operating parameters of the surgical system will be unavailableand/or modified when the incompatible assembled components are attached.An encryption key is stored within a controller and/or an externalstorage medium of the surgical system to decrypt the informationcollected from the RFID tags by one or more RFID scanners. In variousinstances, all of the RFID tags comprise encrypted information. In otherinstances, only one of the RFID tags comprises encrypted information,such as, for example, the RFID tag located on the staple cartridge.However, it is envisioned that any suitable combination of RFID tags cancomprise chips with encrypted information. In various instances one ormore of the encryption keys are stored in a memory on the surgicalinstrument, however any suitable storage location is envisioned.

Data stored on the RFID tags of a staple cartridge can be encryptedduring the manufacturing process of the staple cartridge using anencryption protocol. The information can be encrypted to, for example,prevent the use of staple cartridges that were duplicated withoutauthorization and/or with inferior components, among other things. Suchunauthorized duplicates of the staple cartridge may not be manufacturedwith the same specifications and/or dimensions as the compatible staplecartridge. If an incompatible staple cartridge is used with the surgicalinstrument, the incompatible staple cartridge may not perform a surgicalfunction(s) in the same manner as the compatible staple cartridge,thereby exposing a patient to an increased risk when the incompatiblestaple cartridge is used with the surgical instrument.

During the manufacturing process, an RFID scanner transmits a firstinterrogation signal to interrogate the first RFID tag 31560 a of thestaple cartridge 31500. The first RFID tag 31560 a transmits a firstsignal 31580 a in response to the first interrogation signal. The firstresponse signal 31580 a comprises unencrypted, or unsecured, datarelating to the staple cartridge 31500. Such data can include, forexample, manufacturing data and/or cartridge identification data. AnRFID scanner transmits a second interrogation signal and a thirdinterrogation signal to interrogate the second RFID tag 31560 b and thethird RFID tag 31560 c, respectively. The second RFID tag 31560 btransmits a second signal 31580 b in response to the secondinterrogation signal and the third RFID tag 31560 c transmits a thirdsignal 31580 c in response to the third interrogation signal. The secondresponse signal 31580 b and the third response signal 31580 c compriseunencrypted, or unsecured, data relating to the wedge sled 31550 and theretainer 31570, respectively. Such data can include, for example,manufacturing data and/or identification data.

The RFID scanner transmits the response signals 31580 a, 31580 b, 31580c to a manufacturing controller 31100. The manufacturing controller31100 accesses a cloud storage medium 31150 to, for example, encrypt thereceived data. The cloud storage medium 31150 comprises an encryptionprotocol configured to encrypt the data contained in the responsesignals 31580 a, 31580 b, 31580 c. Using an encryption protocol, thecloud storage medium 31150 creates an encrypted serial number reflectingthe various components of the staple cartridge 31500 having the RFIDtags. For example, the unsecured data stored on the first RFID tag 31560a is encrypted with a first value 31202. The unsecured data stored onthe second RFID tag 31560 b is encrypted with a second value 31204, andthe unsecured data stored on the third RFID tag 31560 c is encryptedwith a third value 31206. The first value 31202, the second value 31204,and the third value 31026 are combined to form a unique serial number31200 reflective of an identity of the staple cartridge 31500. Such anencryption process is conducted on each manufactured staple cartridge.See also FIG. 63.

After the cloud storage medium 31150 completes the encryption protocol,the manufacturing controller 31100 rewrites the RFID tags 31560 a, 31560b, 31560 c with the encrypted data. The manufacturing controller 31100directs the RFID scanner to send a first rewrite signal 31110 a to thefirst RFID tag 31560 a. The first rewrite signal 31110 a serves todelete the unsecured data stored on the first RFID tag 31560 a andreplace the unsecured data with the new, secured data 31202. The RFIDscanner transmits a second rewrite signal 31110 b to the second RFID tag31560 b and a third rewrite signal 31110 c to the third RFID tag 31560c. The second rewrite signal 31110 b serves to delete the unsecured datastored on the second RFID tag 31560 b and replace the unsecured datawith the new, secured data 31204. The third rewrite signal 31110 cserves to delete the unsecured data stored on the third RFID tag 31560 cand replace the unsecured data with the new, secured data 31206. At thispoint, the RFID tags 31560 a, 31560 b, 31560 c comprise only encrypteddata, and only the cloud storage medium 31150 comprises access to theunsecure, unencrypted data through a decryption protocol. As discussedabove, the RFID reader is configured to transmit signals to and receivesignals from the RFID tags. In such cases, the RFID reader comprisesboth reading and writing capabilities.

As the data stored on each staple cartridge 31500 is being encrypted,the cloud storage medium 31150 creates a list 31250 of the unique serialnumber 31200 of the staple cartridge 31500 along with an associatedencryption key. The list 31250 can be updated in real-time and/or can becreated after each RFID tag 31560 a, 31560 b, 31560 c is programmed withthe encrypted information. The manufacturing controller 31100 isconfigured to access the list 31250 of unique serial numbers 31200 fromthe cloud storage medium 31150. During the packaging process, themanufacturing controller 31100 directs a packaging printer 31600 toprint the unique serial number 31200 on the packaging for the staplecartridge 31500.

When the staple cartridge 31500 is needed for attachment to the surgicalinstrument, the clinician is required to scan the packaging of thestaple cartridge 31500. A controller of the surgical instrument and/or aremote controlled within the operating room communicates the scannedpackaging data to the cloud storage medium 31150. The remote controller,for example, communicates the scanned packaging data to the cloudstorage medium 31150 for decryption. The cloud storage medium 31150performs a decryption protocol on the scanned packaging data andcompares the received data to the list 31250 of compatible, or otherwiseacceptable, staple cartridges. If the cloud storage medium 31150recognizes the scanned packaging data as acceptable for use with thesurgical instrument, the cloud storage medium 31150 communicates anapproval signal to the remote controller. The remote controllercommunicates the approval signal to the controller on the surgicalinstrument, and the surgical instrument is capable of performing astaple firing stroke, for example. If the cloud storage medium 31150 isunable to recognize the scanned packaging data, the cloud storage medium31150 communicates an error to the remote controller. The remotecontroller communicates the error to the controller on the surgicalinstrument, and the surgical instrument is prevented from performing astaple firing stroke. In various instances, the surgical instrumentcomprises an override input that the clinician can activate, but onlyafter the clinician has been adequately warned that the staple cartridgedid not pass the authentication protocol.

As previously discussed, the packaging, such as packaging 25000, of amodular component comprises one or more identification systems thatrelates to the contents of the packaging. The manufacturing controllerand the packaging printer 31600 create the identification systems usingthe encrypted information discussed above. Various techniques can beused to label the packaging. Such techniques include, for example, laserprinting, pad printing, thermal printing, and/or chip programming. Forexample, laser printing can be used to print QR codes and/or bar codeson the product packaging. Chip programming can be used to alter theinformation stored within an RFID system, such as the RFID system 25200,for example.

FIG. 92 illustrates a decryption protocol 32000 operated by thecontroller of the surgical instrument. The controller uses automatedincrementing encryption keys to facilitate the assembly and/or use of asurgical instrument, such as the surgical instrument described above,for example. The surgical instrument controller comprises a memory. Thememory stores a default internal key 32010 that allows the controller todecrypt a first RFID tag. The first RFID tag is positioned on a staplecartridge packaging and the first RFID tag comprises a first set ofencrypted information. The first set of encrypted information can onlybe decrypted by the controller using the default internal key 32010. Thedecryption protocol 32000 releases a second internal key 32040 upon thesuccessful decryption of the first RFID tag. If the controllerdetermines that the packaging is not authentic, if the controller isunable to decrypt the information stored on the first RFID tag and/or ifthe information stored on the first RFID tag is unable to be recognized,the second internal key 32040 is not released, and the decryptionprotocol 32000 cannot move forward. The first RFID tag can be rescanned,or a new packaging can be scanned by the RFID scanner 32020. Withoutcontinuing to the next authentication step of the decryption protocol32000, the controller of the surgical instrument prevents the surgicalinstrument from performing a staple firing stroke.

The staple cartridge comprises a second RFID tag positioned on thecartridge body, and the second RFID tag comprises a second set ofencrypted information. The second set of encrypted information can onlybe decrypted by the controller using the second internal key 32040. Thedecryption protocol 32000 releases a third internal key 32070 upon thesuccessful decryption of the second RFID tag data. If the controllerdetermines that the staple cartridge is not authentic, if the controlleris unable to decrypt the information stored on the second RFID tagand/or if the information stored on the second RFID tag is unable to berecognized, the third internal key 32070 is not released, and thedecryption protocol 32000 cannot move forward. The second RFID tag canbe rescanned, or a new staple cartridge can be scanned by the RFIDscanner 32050. Without continuing to the next authentication step of thedecryption protocol 32000, the controller of the surgical instrumentprevents the surgical instrument from performing a staple firing stroke.

The staple cartridge previously contained in the packaging as discussedabove comprises a passive second RFID tag. The second RFID tag ispositioned at any suitable location in the staple cartridge. Theclinician can bring the RFID scanner into a range of the second RFIDtag, wherein the RFID scanner emits a signal to scan 32050 the secondRFID tag of the staple cartridge. In response to the RFID scanner'semitted signal, the second RFID tag is configured to transmit itsencrypted information back to the RFID scanner. The software on the RFIDscanner is configured to transmit the communicated information to thecontroller for decryption using the released and/or unlocked internalkey 32040. Once the received information is decrypted, the controller isconfigured to determine if the staple cartridge comprises authenticcomponents that are compatible with the surgical instrument 32060. Inother words, the information stored by the second RFID tag allows aclinician to confirm that the packaging did contain an authentic staplecartridge. In various instances, the controller is also configured todetermine if the staple cartridge has been tampered with, has beenpreviously used, and/or is a fraudulent form of an otherwise compatiblestaple cartridge. If the controller determines that the staple cartridgeis not authentic, the controller is unable to decrypt the informationstored on the second RFID tag and/or the information stored on thesecond RFID tag is unable to be recognized. The staple cartridge maythen be rescanned, or a new staple cartridge can be scanned by the RFIDscanner 32050. If the controller determines that the staple cartridge isauthentic, the controller releases and/or unlocks a third internal key32070 for use in the detection of the presence of a retainer on a staplecartridge assembly. Without releasing and/or unlocking the thirdinternal key 32070, the clinician is unable to complete the protocol32000 and, in various instances, is unable to activate the surgicalinstrument with the inauthentic component(s), absent an override inputas described above.

The staple cartridge comprises a third RFID tag positioned on theretainer, and the third RFID tag comprises a third set of encryptedinformation. The third set of encrypted information can only bedecrypted by the controller using the third internal key 32070. If theencrypted information comprises data representing a compatible staplecartridge, the decryption protocol 32000 releases a fourth internal keyand/or the decryption protocol 32000 successfully concludes. If thecontroller determines that the staple cartridge is not authentic, if thecontroller is unable to decrypt the information stored on the third RFIDtag and/or if the information stored on the third RFID tag is unable tobe recognized, the next, or fourth, internal key is not released, andthe decryption protocol 32000 cannot move forward. The third RFID tagcan be rescanned, or a new retainer can be scanned by the RFID scanner32080. Without releasing and/or unlocking the fourth internal key, thecontroller is unable to complete the protocol 32000 and, in variousinstances, may be unable to activate the surgical instrument with theinauthentic component(s). In various instances, the retainer is the lastmodular component that is assessed in the protocol 32000. However, inother instances, additional modular components comprise RFID tags withencrypted information that require authentication prior to use with thesurgical system.

It is envisioned that any of the identification systems described hereincan be used in place of the active and/or passive RFID tags described inconnection with the protocol 32000.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out inthe following examples.

Example Set 1

Example 1. A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staplecartridge with a surgical instrument comprises inserting a staplecartridge into a surgical instrument. The method also comprisestransmitting a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first componentof the staple cartridge to an RFID reader system and transmitting asecond signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staplecartridge to the RFID reader system. The method also comprises comparingthe first signal and the second signal to a set of stored data for acompatible staple cartridge and unlocking a staple firing system of thesurgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal match theset of stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

Example 2. The method of Example 1, wherein the comparing step comprisescomparing the first signal and the second signal to more than one set ofstored data for compatible staple cartridges.

Example 3. The method of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the first RFID tag andthe second RFID tag comprise active RFID tags.

Example 4. The method of Examples 1-3, further comprising a step ofinterrogating the first RFID tag with the RFID reader system before thestep of transmitting a first signal from the first RFID tag.

Example 5. The method of Examples 1-4, further comprising a step ofinterrogating the second RFID tag with the RFID reader system before thestep of transmitting a second signal from the second RFID tag.

Example 6. The method of Examples 1-5, further comprising the step ofoperating the staple firing system to perform a staple firing strokeafter the unlocking step.

Example 7. The method of Examples 1-6, wherein the first componentcomprises a cartridge body and the second component comprises a sledmovable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired positionduring a staple firing stroke.

Example 8. The method of Example 7, wherein the step of transmitting thesecond signal to the RFID reader system can only occur when the sled isin its proximal unfired position.

Example 9. The method of Examples 1-8, wherein the first componentcomprises a cartridge body and the second component comprises a coverremovably attached to the cartridge body.

Example 10. The method of Example 9, wherein the step of transmittingthe second signal to the RFID reader system can only occur when thecover is attached to the cartridge body.

Example 11. A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staplecartridge with a surgical instrument comprises inserting a staplecartridge into a surgical instrument. The method also comprisesreceiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component ofthe staple cartridge with an RFID reader system and receiving a secondsignal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staplecartridge with the RFID reader system. The method also comprisescomparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for acompatible staple cartridge and locking a staple firing system of thesurgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do notmatch the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

Example 12. The method of Example 11, wherein the comparing stepcomprises comparing the first signal and the second signal to storeddata for more than one compatible staple cartridge.

Example 13. The method of Examples 11 and 12, wherein the first RFID tagand the second RFID tag comprise active RFID tags.

Example 14. The method of Examples 11-13, further comprising a step ofinterrogating the first RFID tag with the RFID reader system before thestep of receiving a first signal from the first RFID tag.

Example 15. The method of Examples 11-14, further comprising a step ofinterrogating the second RFID tag with the RFID reader system before thestep of receiving a second signal from the second RFID tag.

Example 16. The method of Examples 11-15, further comprising the step ofoperating the staple firing system to perform a staple firing stroke ifthe locking step does not occur.

Example 17. The method of Examples 11-16, wherein the first componentcomprises a cartridge body and the second component comprises a sledmovable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired positionduring a staple firing stroke.

Example 18. The method of Example 17, wherein the step of receiving thesecond signal with the RFID reader system can only occur when the sledis in its proximal unfired position.

Example 19. The method of Examples 11-18, wherein the first componentcomprises a cartridge body and the second component comprises a coverremovably attached to the cartridge body.

Example 20. The method of Example 19, wherein the step of receiving thesecond signal with the RFID reader system can only occur when the coveris attached to the cartridge body.

Example Set 2

Example 1. A surgical instrument comprises a firing system configured toperform a firing motion, an end effector, and a RFID reader system. Theend effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridge support, and astaple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridge support. The staplecartridge comprises a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, alongitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, and staple cavitiesdefined in the cartridge body. The staple cartridge also comprisesstaples removably stored in the staple cavities, a cover releasablyattached to the cartridge body, wherein the cover extends over thestaple cavities when the cover is attached to the cartridge body. Thestaple cartridge also comprises a sled movable from a proximal unfiredposition to a distal fired position during the firing motion, a firstRFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at a first longitudinal position,and a second RFID tag affixed to the sled, wherein the proximal unfiredposition of the sled is at a second longitudinal position which is notat the first longitudinal position. The staple cartridge also comprisesa third RFID tag affixed to the cover at a third longitudinal positionwhich is not at the first longitudinal position and the secondlongitudinal position. The RFID reader system is configured to receive afirst signal from the first RFID tag at the first longitudinal position,a second signal from the second RFID tag at the second longitudinalposition, and a third signal from the third RFID tag at the thirdlongitudinal position.

Example 2. The stapling instrument of Example 1, wherein the RFID readersystem comprises a first RFID reader, a second RFID reader, and a thirdRFID reader.

Example 3. The stapling instrument of Example 2, wherein the first RFIDreader system comprises a first antenna adjacent the first longitudinalposition, wherein the second RFID system comprises a second antennaadjacent the second longitudinal position, and wherein the third RFIDsystem comprises a third antenna adjacent the third longitudinalposition.

Example 4. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-3, wherein the firstRFID tag is configured to emit the first signal a first range, whereinthe first antenna positioned in the first range and is configured toreceive the first signal, wherein the second RFID tag is configured toemit the second signal a second range, wherein the second antenna ispositioned in the second range and configured to receive the secondsignal, wherein the third RFID tag is configured to emit the thirdsignal a third range, and wherein the third antenna is positioned in thethird range and configured to receive the third signal.

Example 5. The stapling instrument of Example 4, wherein the first rangedoes not overlap with the second range and the third range, and whereinthe second range does not overlap with the first range and the thirdrange.

Example 6. The stapling instrument of Examples 2-5, wherein the firstRFID reader system comprises a first inductive coil sensor adjacent thefirst longitudinal position, wherein the second RFID system comprises asecond inductive coil sensor adjacent the second longitudinal position,and wherein the third RFID system comprises a third inductive coilsensor adjacent the third longitudinal position.

Example 7. The stapling instrument of Example 6, wherein the first RFIDtag is configured to emit the first signal a first range, wherein thefirst inductive coil sensor positioned in the first range and isconfigured to receive the first signal, wherein the second RFID tag isconfigured to emit the second signal a second range, wherein the secondinductive coil sensor is positioned in the second range and configuredto receive the second signal, wherein the third RFID tag is configuredto emit the third signal a third range, and wherein the third inductivecoil sensor is positioned in the third range and configured to receivethe third signal.

Example 8. The stapling instrument of Examples 6 and 7, wherein thefirst range does not overlap with the second range and the third range,and wherein the second range does not overlap with the first range andthe third range.

Example 9. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-8, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises an active RFID tag, wherein the second RFID tagcomprises an active RFID tag, and wherein the third RFID tag comprisesan active RFID tag.

Example 10. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-8, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag, wherein the second RFID tagcomprises a passive RFID tag, and wherein the third RFID tag comprises apassive RFID tag.

Example 11. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-10, wherein the staplecartridge comprises a lateral width, and wherein the first longitudinallocation, the second longitudinal location, and the third longitudinallocation are not aligned laterally across the lateral width.

Example 12. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-11, further comprisinga controller in communication with the RFID reader system and the firingsystem, wherein the controller is configured to prevent the operation ofthe firing system if at least one of the first signal, the secondsignal, and the third signal is not received by the RFID system.

Example 13. The stapling instrument of Examples 1-12, further comprisinga controller in communication with the RFID reader system and the firingsystem, wherein the controller comprises at least one set of data storedin a memory device, wherein the controller is configured to compare datafrom the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to a setof data, wherein the controller is configured to disable the firingsystem if data from at least one of the first signal, the second signal,and the third signal is inconsistent with the set of data.

Example 14. A staple cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge bodydefining a longitudinal axis, a longitudinal slot defined in thecartridge body, and staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. Thestaple cartridge assembly also comprises staples removably stored in thestaple cavities, a cover releasably attached to the cartridge body,wherein the cover extends over the staple cavities when the cover isattached to the cartridge body. The staple cartridge assembly alsocomprises a sled movable from a proximal unfired position to a distalfired position during the firing motion, a first RFID tag affixed to thecartridge body at a first longitudinal position, a second RFID tagaffixed to the sled, wherein the proximal unfired position of the sledis at a second longitudinal position which is not at the firstlongitudinal position, and a third RFID tag affixed to the cover at athird longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinalposition and the second longitudinal position.

Example 15. A surgical instrument comprises a firing system configuredto perform a firing motion, an end effector, an RFID reader system, anda controller. The end effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridgesupport, and a staple cartridge positionable in the staple cartridgesupport. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising aproximal end and a distal end, a longitudinal slot defined in thecartridge body, and staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. Thestaple cartridge also comprises staples removably stored in the staplecavities and a sled movable from a proximal unfired position to a distalfired position during the firing motion. The staple cartridge alsocomprises a first RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at the proximalend and a second RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at the distalend. The RFID reader system is configured to receive a first signal fromthe first RFID tag and a second signal from the second RFID tag. Thecontroller is in communication with the RFID reader system and thefiring system, wherein the controller is configured to disable theoperation of the firing system if the controller receives one of thefirst signal and the second signal but not the other.

Example 16. The surgical instrument of Example 15, further comprising afeedback system in communication with the controller, wherein thecontroller is configured to activate the feedback system when thecontroller disables the operation of the firing system.

Example 17. The surgical instrument of Examples 15 or 16, wherein thecontroller comprises a set of data stored in a memory device, whereinthe controller is configured to compare data from the first signal andthe second signal to a set of data, wherein the controller is configuredto disable the firing system if data from one of the first signal andthe second signal is inconsistent with the set of data.

Example 18. A staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising aproximal end and a distal end. The staple cartridge also comprises alongitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, staple cavities definedin the cartridge body, and staples removably stored in the staplecavities. The staple cartridge also comprises a sled movable from aproximal unfired position to a distal fired position during the firingmotion, a first RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at the proximalend, and a second RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at the distalend.

Example Set 3

Example 1. A surgical instrument comprises a staple firing system, anend effector, a first RFID reader, a second RFID reader, and acontroller. The end effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridgechannel, and a staple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridgechannel. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising alongitudinal slot, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, andstaples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridgealso comprises a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and adistal fired position by the staple firing system, a first RFID tagaffixed to the cartridge body, and a second RFID tag affixed to thesled. The first RFID reader is configured to detect a first signal fromthe first RFID tag and the second RFID reader is configured to detect asecond signal from the second RFID tag. The controller is incommunication with the first RFID reader, the second RFID reader, andthe staple firing system, wherein the controller verifies the presenceof the staple cartridge in the staple cartridge channel upon receivingthe first signal from the first RFID tag, and wherein the controllerverifies that the staple cartridge is an unfired staple cartridge uponreceiving the second signal from the second RFID tag.

Example 2. The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the controlleris configured to disable the staple firing system if the controllerreceives the first signal but not the second signal.

Example 3. The surgical instrument of Examples 1 and 2, wherein thecontroller is configured to unlock the staple firing system when thecontroller receives the first signal and the second signal.

Example 4. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-3, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises a first operational range and the second RFID tagcomprises a second operational range, and wherein the first operationalrange and the second operational range do not overlap when the sled isin the proximal unfired position.

Example 5. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-4, wherein the firstRFID reader comprises a first operational range and the second RFIDreader comprises a second operational range, and wherein the firstoperational range and the second operational range do not overlap.

Example 6. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-5, further comprising athird RFID reader in communication with the controller, and wherein thethird RFID reader is configured to detect the second signal from thesecond RFID tag when the sled is in the distal fired position.

Example 7. The surgical instrument of Example 6, wherein the second RFIDreader is unable to detect the second signal when the sled is in thedistal fired position, and wherein the third RFID reader is unable todetect the second signal when the sled is in the proximal unfiredposition.

Example 8. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-7, wherein thecontroller comprises a set of data stored in a memory device, whereinthe controller is configured to compare data from the first signal andthe second signal to a set of data, wherein the controller is configuredto disable the staple firing system if data from one of the first signaland the second signal is inconsistent with the set of data.

Example 9. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-8, wherein the staplecartridge further comprises a removable cover releasably attached to thecartridge body, wherein the removable cover comprises a third RFID tagaffixed thereto, wherein the third RFID tag is configured to emit athird signal, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a thirdRFID reader configured to receive the third signal when the removablecover is attached to the cartridge body, and wherein the third RFIDreader is unable to receive the third signal when the removable cover isdetached from the cartridge body.

Example 10. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-9, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises an active RFID tag, and wherein the second RFID tagcomprises an active RFID tag.

Example 11. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-9, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag, and wherein the second RFID tagcomprises a passive RFID tag.

Example 12. A surgical instrument comprises a staple firing system, anend effector, a first RFID reader, a second RFID reader, and acontroller. The end effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridgesupport, and a staple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridgesupport. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising alongitudinal slot, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, andstaples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridgealso comprises a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and adistal fired position by the staple firing system, a first RFID tagmounted to the cartridge body, and a second RFID tag mounted to thesled. The first RFID reader is configured to receive a first signal fromthe first RFID tag. The second RFID reader is configured to receive asecond signal from the second RFID tag. The controller is incommunication with the first RFID reader, the second RFID reader, andthe staple firing system, wherein the controller verifies the presenceof the staple cartridge in the staple cartridge channel upon receivingthe first signal from the first RFID tag, and wherein the controllerverifies that the staple cartridge is an unfired staple cartridge uponreceiving the second signal from the second RFID tag.

Example 13. A surgical instrument comprises a staple firing system, anend effector, a first RFID reader, a second RFID reader, and acontroller. The end effector comprises an anvil, a staple cartridgechannel, and a staple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridgechannel. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising alongitudinal slot, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, andstaples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridgealso comprises a removable cover releasably attached to the cartridgebody, a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distalfired position by the staple firing system, a first RFID tag affixed tothe cartridge body, and a second RFID tag affixed to the removablecover. The first RFID reader is configured to detect a first signal fromthe first RFID tag. The second RFID reader is configured to detect asecond signal from the second RFID tag. The controller in communicationwith the first RFID reader, the second RFID reader, and the staplefiring system, wherein the controller verifies the presence of thestaple cartridge in the staple cartridge channel upon receiving thefirst signal from the first RFID tag, and wherein the controllerverifies that the staple cartridge is an unspoiled staple cartridge uponreceiving the second signal from the second RFID tag.

Example 14. The surgical instrument of Example 13, wherein thecontroller is configured to disable the staple firing system if thecontroller receives the first signal but not the second signal.

Example 15. The surgical instrument of Examples 13 and 14, wherein thecontroller is configured to unlock the staple firing system when thecontroller receives the first signal and the second signal.

Example 16. The surgical instrument of Examples 13-15, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises a first operational range and the second RFID tagcomprises a second operational range, and wherein the first operationalrange and the second operational range do not overlap when the cover isattached to the cartridge body.

Example 17. The surgical instrument of Examples 13-16, wherein the firstRFID reader comprises a first operational range and the second RFIDreader comprises a second operational range, and wherein the firstoperational range and the second operational range do not overlap.

Example 18. The surgical instrument of Examples 13-17, wherein thecontroller comprises a set of data stored in a memory device, whereinthe controller is configured to compare data from the first signal andthe second signal to a set of data, wherein the controller is configuredto disable the staple firing system if data from one of the first signaland the second signal is inconsistent with the set of data.

Example Set 4

Example 1. A surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a RFIDreader. The end effector comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and alongitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end.The end effector also comprises an anvil, a staple cartridge channel,and a staple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridge channel. Thestaple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinalslot, a removable cover releasably attached to the cartridge body, andstaple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cartridge alsocomprises staples removably stored in the staple cavities, a sledmovable relative to the longitudinal slot during a staple firing stroke,and a RFID tag mounted to the staple cartridge in a tag plane. The RFIDreader comprises an induction coil receiver, wherein the induction coilreceiver is mounted to a sidewall of the staple cartridge channel in areceiver plane, wherein the receiver plane is substantially parallel tothe tag plane, and wherein the receiver plane is substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis.

Example 2. The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the RFID tag ismounted to the cartridge body.

Example 3. The surgical instrument of Examples 1 and 2, wherein thecartridge body comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a deckextending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, whereinthe staple cavities are defined in the deck, and wherein the RFID tag ismounted to the first sidewall.

Example 4. The surgical instrument of Example 3, wherein the RFID tag ismounted to an outer surface of the first sidewall.

Example 5. The surgical instrument of Example 3, wherein the RFID tag ismounted to an inner surface of the first sidewall.

Example 6. The surgical instrument of Example 3, wherein the RFID tag isembedded in the first sidewall.

Example 7. The surgical instrument of Example 6, wherein the RFID tag isintegrally-molded into the first sidewall.

Example 8. The surgical instrument of Example 3, wherein the firstsidewall comprises a recess defined therein, and wherein the RFID tag isseated in the recess.

Example 9. The surgical instrument of Example 8, wherein the recessdefines a recess perimeter, and wherein the RFID tag comprises a tagperimeter that matches the recess perimeter.

Example 10. The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the RFID tagis mounted to the sled.

Example 11. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein the sledcomprises a longitudinal portion positioned in the longitudinal slot,and wherein the RFID tag is affixed to the longitudinal portion.

Example 12. The surgical instrument of Example 11, wherein the RFID tagis integrally-molded into the longitudinal portion.

Example 13. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein thelongitudinal portion comprises a recess defined therein, and wherein theRFID tag is seated in the recess.

Example 14. The surgical instrument of Example 13, wherein the recessdefines a recess perimeter, and wherein the RFID tag comprises a tagperimeter that matches the recess perimeter.

Example 15. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein the sidewallcomprises a bottom sidewall extending between a first lateral sidewalland a second lateral sidewall.

Example 16. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein the sidewallcomprises a lateral sidewall extending from a bottom sidewall.

Example 17. The surgical instrument of Example 10, further comprisingstaple drivers movably positioned within the staple cavities, whereinthe sled comprises rails configured to engage the staple drivers toeject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firingstroke, wherein the RFID tag is mounted to one of the rails.

Example 18. The surgical instrument of Example 1, wherein the RFID tagis affixed to the removable cover.

Example 19. The surgical instrument of Example 18, wherein the removablecover extends over the staple cavities, wherein the removable covercomprises latches releasably engaged with the cartridge body and alongitudinal fin positioned in the longitudinal slot, and wherein theRFID tag is mounted to the longitudinal fin.

Example 20. The surgical instrument of Example 19, wherein the RFID tagis integrally-molded into the longitudinal fin.

Example 21. The surgical instrument of Example 18, wherein thelongitudinal fin comprises a recess defined therein, and wherein theRFID tag is seated in the recess.

Example 22. The surgical instrument of Example 21, wherein the recessdefines a recess perimeter, and wherein the RFID tag comprises a tagperimeter that matches the recess perimeter.

Example 23. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-22, wherein the RFIDtag comprises a base, a microchip mounted to the base, and a chipantenna mounted to the base, wherein the chip antenna is substantiallyparallel to a receiver antenna of the induction coil receiver.

Example 24. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-23, wherein the chipantenna is circumferential about a chip antenna axis, wherein thereceiver antenna is circumferential about a receiver antenna axis, andwherein the chip antenna axis and the receiver antenna axis arecollinear.

Example 25. The surgical instrument of Examples 1-23, wherein the chipantenna is circumferential about a chip antenna axis, wherein thereceiver antenna is circumferential about a receiver antenna axis, andwherein the chip antenna axis and the receiver antenna axis areorthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Example 26. A surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a RFIDreader. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge support and astaple cartridge positioned in the staple cartridge support. The staplecartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot,staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, and staples removablystored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge also comprises aRFID tag mounted to the staple cartridge, wherein the RFID tag comprisesa base and a tag antenna mounted to the base, and wherein the tagantenna is defined in a tag plane. The RFID reader comprises aninduction coil receiver, wherein the induction coil receiver is mountedto the staple cartridge support in a receiver plane, wherein thereceiver plane is substantially parallel to the tag plane.

Example 27. An end effector of a surgical instrument comprises a staplecartridge support, a staple cartridge, and a RFID reader. The staplecartridge is positioned in the staple cartridge support and comprises acartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot and staple cavitiesdefined in the cartridge body. The staple cartridge also comprisesstaples removably stored in the staple cavities and a RFID tag mountedto the staple cartridge, wherein the RFID tag comprises a tag antennadefined in a tag plane. The RFID reader comprises a receiver antenna,wherein the receiver antenna is mounted to the staple cartridge supportin a receiver plane, wherein the receiver plane is parallel to the tagplane.

Example Set 5

Example 1. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, a retainer, an RFID scanner, a controller.The surgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft and an end effectorextending from the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector comprises afirst jaw and a second jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge isconfigured to be seated in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staplecartridge is stored in a packaging prior to being seated in the firstjaw, wherein the packaging comprises a first RFID tag, wherein the firstRFID tag comprises a first set of encrypted information, and wherein thereplaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising acartridge deck, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sledconfigured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body during astaple firing stroke, and a second RFID tag comprising a second set ofencrypted information. The retainer is releasably attached to thereplaceable staple cartridge, wherein the retainer extends over thecartridge deck, and wherein the retainer comprises a third RFID tagcomprising a third set of encrypted information. The RFID scanner isconfigured to receive the first set of encrypted information, the secondset of encrypted information, and the third set of encryptedinformation. The controller is configured to perform a decryptionprotocol, wherein the controller comprises a first internal key, whereinthe controller uses the first internal key to decrypt the first set ofencrypted information, wherein the controller releases a second internalkey if the first set of encrypted information is recognized by thecontroller, wherein the controller uses the second internal key todecrypt the second set of encrypted information, wherein the controllerreleases a third internal key if the second set of encrypted informationis recognized by the controller, wherein the controller uses the thirdinternal key to decrypt the third set of encrypted information, andwherein the controller prevents the surgical instrument from performingthe staple firing stroke if at least one of the first set of encryptedinformation, the second set of encrypted information, and the third setof encrypted information is unable to be recognized.

Example 2. The surgical system of Example 1, wherein the controllerprevents the surgical instrument from performing the staple firingstroke if the controller is unable to decrypt at least one of the firstset of encrypted information, the second set of encrypted information,and the third set of encrypted information.

Example 3. The surgical system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the RFIDscanner is configured to receive the first set of encrypted informationin response to a first interrogation signal.

Example 4. The surgical system of Example 3, wherein the controllerprevents the surgical instrument from performing the staple firingstroke if the RFID scanner does not receive the first set of encryptedinformation in response to the first interrogation signal.

Example 5. The surgical system of Examples 3 or 4, wherein the RFIDscanner is configured to receive the second set of encrypted informationin response to a second interrogation signal.

Example 6. The surgical system of Example 5, wherein the RFID scannerdoes not transmit the second interrogation signal if the controller isunable to recognize the first set of encrypted information.

Example 7. The surgical system of Examples 5 or 6, wherein the RFIDscanner is configured to receive the third set of encrypted informationin response to a third interrogation signal.

Example 8. The surgical system of Example 7, wherein the RFID scannerdoes not transmit the third interrogation signal if the controller isunable to recognize the second set of encrypted information.

Example 9. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-8, wherein theRFID scanner comprises reading capabilities and writing capabilities.

Example 10. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, a retainer releasably attached to thereplaceable staple cartridge, a first RFID tag comprising a first set ofencrypted information, a second RFID tag comprising a second set ofencrypted information, an RFID scanner configured to receive the firstset of encrypted information and the second set of encryptedinformation, and a controller comprising a first internal key. Thesurgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft and an end effectorextending from the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector comprises afirst jaw and a second jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge isconfigured to be seated in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staplecartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck,staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a sled configured todrive the staples out of the cartridge body during a staple firingstroke. The retainer extends over the cartridge deck. The controlleruses the first internal key to decrypt the first set of encryptedinformation, wherein the controller releases a second internal key ifthe first set of encrypted information is recognized by the controller,wherein the controller uses the second internal key to decrypt thesecond set of encrypted information, and wherein the controller preventsthe surgical instrument from performing an operational function if atleast one of the first set of encrypted information and the second setof encrypted information is unable to be recognized.

Example 11. The surgical system of Example 10, wherein the operationalfunction comprises the staple firing stroke.

Example 12. The surgical system of Examples 10 or 11, wherein thecontroller comprises a memory, wherein a set of compatible informationis stored in the memory, wherein the controller prevents the surgicalinstrument from performing the operational function if at least one ofthe first set of encrypted information and the second set of encryptedinformation does not correspond to the set of compatible information.

Example 13. The surgical system of any one of Examples 10-12, whereinthe first RFID tag is positioned on the replaceable staple cartridge.

Example 14. The surgical system of any one of Examples 10-13, whereinthe second RFID tag is positioned on the retainer.

Example 15. The surgical system of any one of Examples 10-14, whereinthe RFID scanner is configured to receive the first set of encryptedinformation in response to a first interrogation signal.

Example 16. The surgical system of Example 15, wherein the controllerprevents the surgical instrument from performing the staple firingstroke if the RFID scanner does not receive the first set of encryptedinformation in response to the first interrogation signal.

Example 17. The surgical system of Examples 15 or 16, wherein the RFIDscanner is configured to receive the second set of encrypted informationin response to a second interrogation signal.

Example 18. The surgical system of Example 17, wherein the RFID scannerdoes not transmit the second interrogation signal if the controller isunable to recognize the first set of encrypted information.

Example 19. The surgical system of any one of Examples 10-18 furthercomprising a third RFID tag, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge isstored within a packaging prior to being seated in the first jaw, andwherein the third RFID tag is positioned on the packaging.

Example 20. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, a retainer releasably attached to thereplaceable staple cartridge, an RFID scanner, and a controllercomprising a first internal key. The surgical instrument comprises anelongate shaft and an end effector extending from the elongate shaft,wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. Thereplaceable staple cartridge is configured to be seated in the firstjaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packagingprior to being seated in the first jaw, wherein the packaging comprisesa first RFID tag, wherein the first RFID tag comprises a first set ofencrypted information, and wherein the replaceable staple cartridgecomprises a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck, staplesremovably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configured to drive thestaples out of the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke, and asecond RFID tag comprising a second set of encrypted information. Theretainer extends over the cartridge deck and comprises a third RFID tagcomprising a third set of encrypted information. The RFID scanner isconfigured to receive the first set of encrypted information, the secondset of encrypted information, and the third set of encryptedinformation. The controller uses the first internal key to decrypt thefirst set of encrypted information, wherein the controller releases asecond internal key if the controller determines that the first set ofencrypted information is compatible for use with the surgical system,wherein the controller uses the second internal key to decrypt thesecond set of encrypted information, wherein the controller releases athird internal key if the controller determines that the second set ofencrypted information is compatible for use with the surgical system,wherein the controller uses the third internal key to decrypt the thirdset of encrypted information, and wherein the surgical instrument isinoperable if at least one of the first set of encrypted information,the second set of encrypted information, and the third set of encryptedinformation is incompatible for use with the surgical system.

Example Set 6

Example 1. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, an RFIDscanner, a controller, and a remote storage system. The surgicalinstrument comprises an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge,and a retainer. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw.The replaceable staple cartridge is configured to be seated in the firstjaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridge bodycomprising a cartridge deck, staples removably positioned in thecartridge body, a first RFID tag comprising a first set of information,and a sled comprising a second RFID tag comprising a second set ofinformation, wherein the sled is configured to drive the staples out ofthe cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The retainer isremovably attached to the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein theretainer is positioned adjacent to the cartridge deck, wherein theretainer comprises a third RFID tag comprising a third set ofinformation, wherein the first set of information, the second set ofinformation, and the third set of information collectively form a uniquecombination, and wherein the unique combination is representative of thereplaceable staple cartridge. The RFID scanner is configured to receivethe first set of information, the second set of information, and thethird set of information. The controller is in communication with theRFID scanner. The remote storage system comprises a set of compatiblecombinations, wherein the controller compares the unique combination tothe set of compatible combinations to determine if the replaceablestaple cartridge is compatible for use with the surgical instrument, andwherein the controller prevents at least one operation of the surgicalinstrument if the controller determines that the unique combination isnot compatible for use with the surgical instrument.

Example 2. The surgical system of Example 1, wherein the set ofcompatible combinations comprises a list of unique combinationsassociated with replaceable staple cartridges.

Example 3. The surgical system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the set ofcompatible combinations comprises recall information, wherein thecontroller prevents the at least one operation of the surgicalinstrument if at least one of the replaceable staple cartridge and theretainer are recalled.

Example 4. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein theat least one operation of the surgical system comprises the staplefiring stroke.

Example 5. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein thereplaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packaging prior to beingseated in the first jaw, and wherein the unique combination is displayedon the packaging in an encrypted form.

Example 6. The surgical system of Example 5, wherein the remote storagesystem comprises a decryption protocol configured to decrypt theencrypted form of the unique combination.

Example 7. The surgical system of Examples 5 or 6, wherein the encryptedform of the unique combination is printed on the packaging.

Example 8. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein thefirst RFID tag, the second RFID tag, and the third RFID tag compriseencrypted information.

Example 9. The surgical system of Example 8, wherein the remote storagesystem comprises a decryption protocol configured to decrypt theencrypted information comprised on the first RFID tag, the second RFIDtag, and the third RFID tag.

Example 10. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein theRFID scanner is configured to receive the first set of information inresponse to a first interrogation signal.

Example 11. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-10, wherein thecontroller is positioned on the surgical instrument.

Example 12. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-10, wherein thecontroller is positioned remotely with respect to the surgicalinstrument.

Example 13. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, a retainer, a first RFID tag, a secondRFID tag, a third RFID tag, an RFID scanner, a controller, and a remotestorage system. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridgebody comprising a cartridge deck, staples removably positioned in thecartridge body, and a sled configured to drive the staples out of thecartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The retainer is removablyattached to the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the retainer ispositioned adjacent to the cartridge deck. The first RFID tag comprisesa first set of information, the second RFID tag comprises a second setof information, and the third RFID tag comprises a third set ofinformation, wherein the first set of information, the second set ofinformation, and the third set of information collectively form a uniquecombination. The RFID scanner is configured to receive the first set ofinformation, the second set of information, and the third set ofinformation. The controller is in communication with the RFID scanner.The remote storage system comprises a set of compatible combinations,wherein the controller compares the unique combination to the set ofcompatible combinations to determine if the replaceable staple cartridgeis compatible for use with the surgical system, and wherein thecontroller prevents at least one operation of the surgical system if thecontroller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge is notcompatible for use with the surgical system.

Example 14. The surgical system of Example 13, wherein the set ofcompatible combinations comprises a list of unique combinationsassociated with individual replaceable staple cartridges.

Example 15. The surgical system of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the set ofcompatible combinations comprises recall information, wherein thecontroller prevents the at least one operation of the surgicalinstrument if the replaceable staple cartridge is recalled.

Example 16. The surgical system of any one of Examples 13-15, whereinthe at least one operation of the surgical system comprises the staplefiring stroke.

Example 17. The surgical system of any one of Examples 13-16, whereinthe replaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packaging prior to beingseated in a first jaw of the surgical instrument, and wherein the uniquecombination is displayed on the packaging in an encrypted form.

Example 18. The surgical system of any one of Examples 13-17, whereinthe first RFID tag, the second RFID tag, and the third RFID tag compriseencrypted information.

Example 19. The surgical system of Example 18, wherein the remotestorage system comprises a decryption protocol configured to decrypt theencrypted information comprised on the first RFID tag, the second RFIDtag, and the third RFID tag.

Example 20. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, an RFID scanner, a controller, and aremote storage system. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises acartridge body comprising a cartridge deck, staples removably positionedin the cartridge body, a first RFID tag comprising a first set ofencrypted information, and a sled comprising a second RFID tagcomprising a second set of encrypted information, wherein the sled isconfigured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body during astaple firing stroke, wherein the first set of encrypted information andthe second set of encrypted information collectively form a uniquecombination, and wherein the unique combination is representative of thereplaceable staple cartridge. The RFID scanner is configured to receivethe first set of encrypted information and the second set of encryptedinformation. The controller is in communication with the RFID scanner.The remote storage system comprises a decryption protocol and a set ofcompatible combinations, wherein the remote storage system decrypts theunique combination and compares the decrypted unique combination to theset of compatible combinations to determine if the replaceable staplecartridge is compatible for use with the surgical instrument, andwherein the controller prevents at least one operation of the surgicalinstrument if the controller determines that the replaceable staplecartridge is not compatible for use with the surgical instrument.

Example Set 7

Example 1. A surgical stapling instrument comprises an elongate shaft,an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, an RFID scanner, acontroller, a lockout member, and a solenoid. The end effector comprisesa first jaw and a second jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge isconfigured to be seated in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staplecartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck,staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configured todrive the staples out of the cartridge body during a staple firingstroke, wherein the sled comprises a proximal portion, and an RFID tagcomprising stored information. The RFID scanner is configured tocommunicate with the RFID tag as the replaceable staple cartridge isbeing seated in the first jaw. The lockout member comprises a proximalend and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the lockout membercontacts the proximal portion of the sled as the replaceable staplecartridge is seated in the first jaw. The solenoid is configurable in anactive configuration and an inactive configuration, wherein the solenoidcomprises a housing, a bolt, a resilient member, and an inductive coil,wherein the controller places the solenoid in the active configurationwhen the controller determines the replaceable staple cartridge iscompatible for use with the surgical stapling instrument, wherein thebolt and the resilient member are positioned entirely within the housingwhen the solenoid is in the active configuration, wherein the controllerplaces the solenoid in the inactive configuration when the RFID scannerreceives a signal from the RFID tag indicative that the replaceablestaple cartridge is incompatible for use with the surgical staplinginstrument, wherein a portion of the bolt extends outside of the housingwhen the solenoid is in the inactive configuration, wherein the portionof the bolt prevents proximal movement of the lockout member when thesolenoid is in the inactive configuration, and wherein the lockoutmember pushes the sled distally as the replaceable staple cartridge isseated in the first jaw and the solenoid is in the inactiveconfiguration.

Example 2. The surgical stapling instrument of Example 1, wherein thesurgical stapling instrument is unable to perform the stapling firingstroke when the controller determines that the replaceable staplecartridge is incompatible with the surgical stapling instrument.

Example 3. The surgical stapling instrument of Examples 1 or 2, whereindistal movement of the sled caused by the lockout member prevents thesurgical stapling instrument from performing the staple firing stroke.

Example 4. The surgical stapling instrument of any one of Examples 1-3,further comprising a firing member configured to translate the sledalong a firing path during the staple firing stroke.

Example 5. The surgical stapling instrument of Example 4, wherein theproximal end of the lockout member comprises a lateral projection,wherein a portion of the lateral projection engages the firing member.

Example 6. The surgical stapling instrument of any one of Examples 1-5,wherein channels are defined within the cartridge body, and wherein thedistal end of the lockout member is sized to be received within one ofthe channels.

Example 7. The surgical stapling instrument of any one of Examples 1-6,wherein the solenoid is in the inactive configuration until a compatiblestaple cartridge is detected by the controller.

Example 8. The surgical stapling instrument of any one of Examples 1-7,wherein the solenoid is in the inactive configuration when thereplaceable staple cartridge is not seated in the first jaw.

Example 9. The surgical stapling instrument of any one of Examples 1-8,further comprising an electric motor and a power source, wherein thepower source is prevented from supplying power to the electric motorwhen the solenoid is in the inactive configuration.

Example 10. A surgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft, an endeffector, a replaceable staple cartridge, an RFID scanner, a controller,a lockout member, and a blocking bolt system. The end effector comprisesa first jaw and a second jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge isconfigured to be seated in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staplecartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck,staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configured todrive the staples out of the cartridge body during a staple firingstroke, wherein the sled comprises a proximal portion, and an RFID tagcomprising stored information. The RFID scanner is configured tocommunicate with the RFID tag as the replaceable staple cartridge isbeing seated in the first jaw. The lockout member comprises a proximalend and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the lockout membercontacts the proximal portion of the sled as the replaceable staplecartridge is seated in the first jaw, wherein the lockout member isconfigured to translate proximally along a path when the controllerdetermines that the replaceable staple cartridge is compatible for usewith the surgical instrument. The blocking bolt system comprises ahousing, a bolt, a resilient member, and an inductive coil, wherein thecontroller places the blocking bolt system in an active configurationwhen the controller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge iscompatible for use with the surgical instrument, wherein the bolt ispositioned outside of the path of the lockout member when the blockingbolt system is in the active configuration, wherein the controllerplaces the blocking bolt system in an inactive configuration when thecontroller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge isincompatible for use with the surgical instrument, wherein the bolt ispositioned within the path of the lockout member when the blocking boltsystem is in the inactive configuration, wherein the bolt prevents theproximal translation of the lockout member when the blocking bolt systemis in the inactive configuration, and wherein the lockout member pushesthe sled distally as the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in thefirst jaw and the blocking bolt system is in the inactive configuration.

Example 11. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein thecontroller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge isincompatible for use with the surgical instrument when the RFID scannerfails to receive a signal from the RFID tag.

Example 12. The surgical instrument of Example 10, wherein thecontroller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge isincompatible for use with the surgical instrument when the RFID scannerreceives a signal from the RFID tag comprising data representative of anincompatible staple cartridge.

Example 13. The surgical instrument of Example 12, wherein theincompatible staple cartridge comprises a spent staple cartridge.

Example 14. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10-13,wherein the surgical instrument is unable to perform the stapling firingstroke when the controller determines that the replaceable staplecartridge is incompatible with the stapling instrument.

Example 15. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10-14,wherein distal movement of the sled caused by the lockout memberprevents the surgical instrument from performing the staple firingstroke.

Example 16. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10-15,further comprising a firing member configured to translate the sledalong a firing path during the staple firing stroke, wherein theproximal end of the lockout member comprises a lateral projection, andwherein a portion of the lateral projection engages the firing member.

Example 17. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10-16,wherein channels are defined within the cartridge body, and wherein thedistal end of the lockout member is sized to be received within one ofthe channels.

Example 18. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10 or 12-17,wherein the RFID scanner transmits an interrogation signal to the RFIDtag, and wherein the blocking bolt system is in the inactiveconfiguration when the RFID scanner fails to receive a response signalto the interrogation signal.

Example 19. The surgical instrument of any one of Examples 10-18,further comprising an electric motor and a power source, wherein thepower source is prevented from supplying power to the electric motorwhen the blocking bolt system is in the inactive configuration.

Example 20. A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgicalinstrument, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises acartridge body comprising a cartridge deck, staples removably positionedwithin the cartridge body, a sled configured to drive the staples out ofthe cartridge body during a staple firing stroke, and an RFID tagcomprising stored information, wherein the RFID tag is in communicationwith an RFID scanner of the surgical instrument as the replaceablestaple cartridge is being attached to the surgical instrument, whereinthe sled is advanced distally within the replaceable staple cartridgewhen a controller of the surgical instrument determines that thereplaceable staple cartridge is incompatible for use with the surgicalinstrument, and wherein the controller prevents the surgical instrumentfrom performing the staple firing stroke when the determinedincompatible staple cartridge is attached to the surgical instrument.

Example Set 8

Example 1. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument comprisingan end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, an RFID tag, an RFIDscanner, and a controller. The end effector comprises a first jaw and asecond jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge is configured to be seatedin the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises aproximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body comprising a cartridgedeck, an elongate slot extending from the proximal end toward the distalend, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a sledconfigured to translate along the elongate slot and drive the staplesout of the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The RFID tagcomprises stored information, wherein the RFID tag is inoperable after apredefined action of the surgical instrument. The RFID scanner isconfigured to transmit a first signal to the RFID tag, wherein the RFIDscanner is configured to receive a second signal from the RFID tag inresponse to the first signal. The controller prevents at least oneoperation of the surgical instrument when the RFID scanner does notreceive the second signal from the RFID tag in response to the firstsignal.

Example 2. The surgical system of Example 1, wherein the at least oneoperation of the surgical instrument comprises the staple firing stroke.

Example 3. The surgical system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein thepredefined action of the surgical instrument comprises commencement ofthe staple firing stroke.

Example 4. The surgical system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein thepredefined action of the surgical instrument comprises distal movementof the sled.

Example 5. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein thecontroller prevents the at least one operation of the surgicalinstrument when the controller determines that the stored information ofthe second signal corresponds to an incompatible replaceable staplecartridge.

Example 6. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein theRFID tag comprises a portion that traverses the elongate slot, whereinthe sled transects the portion during the staple firing stroke, andwherein the RFID tag is unable to communicate with the RFID scannerafter the portion is transected.

Example 7. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein theRFID scanner is configured to transmit a third signal to the RFID tag,wherein the third signal is transmitted at a power level that exceeds athreshold power level of the RFID tag, and wherein the third signalrenders the RFID tag inoperable.

Example 8. The surgical system of Example 7, wherein at least a portionof the RFID tag melts in response to the third signal.

Example 9. The surgical system of any one of Examples 1-8, furthercomprising a retainer releasably attached to the replaceable staplecartridge, wherein the retainer extends along the cartridge deck,wherein the RFID tag is positioned on the retainer, and wherein the RFIDtag is rendered inoperable as the retainer is removed from thereplaceable staple cartridge.

Example 10. The surgical system of Example 9, wherein the RFID tag isphysically destroyed as the retainer is removed from the replaceablestaple cartridge.

Example 11. A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgicalinstrument, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises aproximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body comprising a cartridgedeck, an elongate slot extending from the proximal end toward the distalend, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configuredto translate along the elongate slot and drive the staples out of thecartridge body during a staple firing stroke, an RFID tag comprisingstored information relevant to the replaceable staple cartridge, whereinthe RFID tag is rendered inoperable after a predefined action of thesurgical instrument, and an RFID scanner in communication with acontroller of the surgical instrument, wherein the RFID scannertransmits a first signal to the RFID tag, wherein the RFID scanner isconfigured to receive a second signal from the RFID tag in response tothe first signal, wherein the controller prevents at least one operationof the surgical instrument when the RFID tag is inoperable.

Example 12. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 11, wherein theRFID tag comprises a first antenna comprising a first communicationrange, wherein the RFID scanner is positioned outside the firstcommunication range.

Example 13. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 12, furthercomprising a second antenna comprising a second communication range,wherein the second antenna is in communication with the RFID tag, andwherein the RFID scanner is positioned within the second communicationrange.

Example 14. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 13, wherein aportion of the second antenna traverses a proximal portion of theelongate slot, wherein the sled destroys the portion of the secondantenna as the sled translates distally through the elongate slot, andwherein the RFID tag is unable to communicate with the RFID scannerafter the portion of the second antenna is destroyed.

Example 15. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples11-14, further comprising a retainer, wherein the retainer isreplaceably attached to the cartridge body, wherein the retainer extendsalong the cartridge deck, and wherein the RFID tag is renderedinoperable as the retainer is removed from the replaceable staplecartridge.

Example 16. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples11-15, wherein the at least one operation of the surgical instrumentcomprises the staple firing stroke.

Example 17. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples11-16, wherein the predefined action of the surgical instrumentcomprises commencement of the staple firing stroke.

Example 18. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples11-16, wherein the predefined action of the surgical instrumentcomprises distal movement of the sled.

Example 19. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples11-18, wherein the controller of the surgical instrument prevents the atleast one operation of the surgical instrument when the controllerdetermines that the stored information of the second signal correspondsto an incompatible replaceable staple cartridge.

Example 20. A surgical system comprises a surgical instrument, areplaceable staple cartridge, an RFID tag, an RFID scanner, and acontroller. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, whereinthe end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The replaceablestaple cartridge is configured to be seated in the first jaw, whereinthe replaceable staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end,a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck, an elongate slot extendingfrom the proximal end toward the distal end, staples removably stored inthe cartridge body, and a sled configured to translate along theelongate slot and drive the staples out of the cartridge body during astaple firing stroke. The RFID tag is inoperable after a predefinedaction of the surgical instrument. The RFID scanner is configured totransmit a first signal to the RFID tag, wherein the RFID scanner isconfigured to receive a second signal from the RFID tag in response tothe first signal. The controller prevents at least one operation of thesurgical instrument when the controller determines that the secondsignal comprises information corresponding to an incompatiblereplaceable staple cartridge.

Example Set 9

Example 1. A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgicalinstrument, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge is stored in apackaging prior to being attached to the surgical instrument, whereinthe packaging comprises a first layer, a second layer, and an RFIDsystem. The first layer and the second layer form a seal around thereplaceable staple cartridge. The RFID system comprises an RFID tag andan insulator. The RFID tag is attached to the first layer, wherein theRFID tag comprises an integrated battery, a tag antenna, and an RFIDchip comprising stored information. The insulator is attached to thesecond layer, wherein the insulator electrically decouples theintegrated battery from the RFID chip, wherein the insulator isconfigured to detach from the integrated battery when the seal is brokenbetween the first layer and the second layer, and wherein the RFID tagbecomes active and transmits the stored information to an RFID scannerof the surgical instrument when the insulator is detached from theintegrated battery.

Example 2. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 1, wherein acontroller of the surgical instrument compares the transmitted storedinformation from the RFID tag to a set of compatible information, andwherein the controller prevents the surgical instrument from performingat least one function if the transmitted stored information is not foundin the set of compatible information.

Example 3. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 2, wherein the atleast one function of the surgical instrument comprises a staple firingstroke.

Example 4. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 1, wherein acontroller of the surgical instrument prevents the surgical instrumentfrom performing at least one function if the controller does notrecognize the transmitted stored information from the RFID tag.

Example 5. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 4, wherein the atleast one function of the surgical instrument comprises a staple firingstroke.

Example 6. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples 1-5,wherein the RFID tag is configured to continuously transmit the storedinformation when the insulator is detached from the integrated battery.

Example 7. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples 1-6,wherein the RFID tag comprises encrypted information.

Example 8. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples 1-7,wherein the RFID tag is positioned within an ionizing radiation proofbarrier, and wherein the RFID tag is gamma sterilization resistant.

Example 9. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples 1-8,wherein the stored information of the RFID chip comprises an expirationdate, and wherein a controller of the surgical instrument prevents thesurgical instrument from performing at least one function if thecontroller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge is expired.

Example 10. A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgicalinstrument, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge is stored in apackaging prior to being attached to the surgical instrument, whereinthe packaging comprises a first layer, a second layer, an RFID tag, andan insulator. The replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in betweenthe first layer and the second layer. The RFID tag comprises a battery,a tag antenna, and an RFID chip comprising stored information. Theinsulator electrically decouples the battery from the RFID chip when thefirst layer is pulled apart from the second layer, and wherein the RFIDtag becomes active and transmits the stored information to an RFIDscanner of the surgical instrument when the insulator is decoupled fromthe battery.

Example 11. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 10, wherein acontroller of the surgical instrument compares the transmitted storedinformation from the RFID tag to a set of compatible information, andwherein the controller prevents the surgical instrument from performingat least one function if the transmitted stored information is not foundin the set of compatible information.

Example 12. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 11, wherein theat least one function of the surgical instrument comprises a staplefiring stroke.

Example 13. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 10, wherein acontroller of the surgical instrument prevents the surgical instrumentfrom performing at least one function if the controller does notrecognize the transmitted stored information from the RFID tag.

Example 14. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 13, wherein theat least one function of the surgical instrument comprises a staplefiring stroke.

Example 15. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples10-14, wherein the RFID tag is configured to continuously transmit thestored information when the insulator is detached from the battery.

Example 16. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples10-15, wherein the RFID tag comprises encrypted information.

Example 17. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples10-16, wherein the RFID tag is positioned within an ionizing radiationproof barrier, and wherein the RFID tag is gamma sterilizationresistant.

Example 18. The replaceable staple cartridge of any one of Examples10-17, wherein the stored information of the RFID chip comprises anexpiration date, and wherein a controller of the surgical instrumentprevents the surgical instrument from performing at least one functionif the controller determines that the replaceable staple cartridge isexpired.

Example 19. A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgicalinstrument, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge is stored in apackaging prior to being attached to the surgical instrument, whereinthe packaging comprises a first layer, a second layer, an RFID tag, andan insulator. The first layer and the second layer form a seal aroundthe replaceable staple cartridge. The RFID tag is attached to thereplaceable staple cartridge, wherein the RFID tag comprises anintegrated power source, a tag antenna, and an RFID chip comprisingstored information. The insulator is attached to the second layer of thepackaging, wherein the insulator electrically decouples the integratedpower source from the RFID chip, wherein the insulator is configured todetach from the integrated power source when the first layer is removedfrom the second layer, and wherein the RFID tag becomes active andtransmits the stored information to an RFID scanner of the surgicalinstrument when the insulator is detached from the integrated powersource.

Example 20. The replaceable staple cartridge of Example 19, wherein acontroller of the surgical instrument compares the transmitted storedinformation from the RFID tag to a set of compatible information, andwherein the controller prevents the surgical instrument from performingat least one function if the transmitted information is not found in theset of compatible information.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivatedby an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems describedherein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In various instances,the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by amanually-operated trigger, for example. In certain instances, the motorsdisclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a roboticallycontrolled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and/or toolassemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgicalinstrument system. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, for example, disclosesseveral examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greaterdetail and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described inconnection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, theembodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments areenvisioned which deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps ortacks, for example. Moreover, various embodiments are envisioned whichutilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For instance, an endeffector in accordance with various embodiments can comprise electrodesconfigured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for instance, an endeffector in accordance with certain embodiments can apply vibrationalenergy to seal the tissue.

Various embodiments described herein are described in the context oflinear end effectors and/or linear fastener cartridges. Suchembodiments, and the teachings thereof, can be applied to non-linear endeffectors and/or non-linear fastener cartridges, such as, for example,circular and/or contoured end effectors. For example, various endeffectors, including non-linear end effectors, are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, filed Feb. 28, 2011, entitledSURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2011/0226837, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Additionally, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/893,461, filed Sep. 29, 2012, entitled STAPLECARTRIDGE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0074198, ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/031,873, filed Feb. 15, 2008, entitled ENDEFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,980,443, is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLEFASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013, is also herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The entire disclosures of:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC        DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT        HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which        issued on Feb. 21, 2006;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING        AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which        issued on Sep. 9, 2008;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS,        which issued on Dec. 16, 2008;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN        ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,        which issued on Jul. 13, 2010;    -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE        IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES, now U.S. Pat. No.        7,845,537;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL        CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed        Feb. 14, 2008;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END        EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed        Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled        MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No.        8,210,411;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,972, entitled MOTORIZED        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,083.    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED        SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY        RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled        MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR        DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat.        No. 8,220,688;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE, filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.        8,561,870;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT        ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled        ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE,        filed on Jun. 15, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,358;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13,        2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE        CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13,        2013, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552;    -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled        SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER        LOCKING MECHANISM, filed Jan. 31, 2006; and    -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled        SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR,        filed Apr. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040, are hereby        incorporated by reference herein.

Although various devices have been described herein in connection withcertain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodimentsmay be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus,the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated ordescribed in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole orin part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one oremore other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials aredisclosed for certain components, other materials may be used.Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may bereplaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replacedby a single component, to perform a given function or functions. Theforegoing description and following claims are intended to cover allsuch modification and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after asingle use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In eithercase, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at leastone use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the stepsincluding, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followedby cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, andsubsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioningfacility and/or surgical team can disassemble a device and, aftercleaning and/or replacing particular parts of the device, the device canbe reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety oftechniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use ofsuch techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all withinthe scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, anew or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. Theinstrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, theinstrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plasticor TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a fieldof radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation,x-rays, and/or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria onthe instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may thenbe stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep theinstrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A devicemay also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art,including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethyleneoxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for authenticating the compatibility ofa staple cartridge with a surgical instrument comprising: inserting astaple cartridge into a surgical instrument; transmitting a first signalfrom a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge to anRFID reader system; transmitting a second signal from a second RFID tagon a second component of the staple cartridge to the RFID reader system;comparing the first signal and the second signal to a set of stored datafor a compatible staple cartridge; and unlocking a staple firing systemof the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signalmatch the set of stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said comparing step comprises comparing thefirst signal and the second signal to more than one set of stored datafor compatible staple cartridges.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst RFID tag and the second RFID tag comprise active RFID tags.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising a step of interrogating the firstRFID tag with the RFID reader system before said step of transmitting afirst signal from the first RFID tag.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising a step of interrogating the second RFID tag with the RFIDreader system before said step of transmitting a second signal from thesecond RFID tag.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof operating the staple firing system to perform a staple firing strokeafter said unlocking step.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstcomponent of the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and thesecond component of the staple cartridge comprises a sled movable from aproximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a staplefiring stroke.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step oftransmitting the second signal to the RFID reader system can only occurwhen the sled is in its proximal unfired position.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first component comprises a cartridge body and thesecond component comprises a cover removably attached to the cartridgebody.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of transmitting thesecond signal to the RFID reader system can only occur when the cover isattached to the cartridge body.
 11. A method for authenticating thecompatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrumentcomprising: inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument;receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component ofthe staple cartridge with an RFID reader system; receiving a secondsignal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staplecartridge with the RFID reader system; comparing the first signal andthe second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge; andlocking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the firstsignal and the second signal do not match the stored data for acompatible staple cartridge.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein saidcomparing step comprises comparing the first signal and the secondsignal to stored data for more than one compatible staple cartridge. 13.The method of claim 11, wherein the first RFID tag and the second RFIDtag comprise active RFID tags.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising a step of interrogating the first RFID tag with the RFIDreader system before said step of receiving a first signal from thefirst RFID tag.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step ofinterrogating the second RFID tag with the RFID reader system beforesaid step of receiving a second signal from the second RFID tag.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising the step of operating the staplefiring system to perform a staple firing stroke if said locking stepdoes not occur.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first componentof the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and the secondcomponent of the staple cartridge comprises a sled movable from aproximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a staplefiring stroke.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step ofreceiving said second signal with the RFID reader system can only occurwhen the sled is in its proximal unfired position.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the first component comprises a cartridge body and thesecond component comprises a cover removably attached to the cartridgebody.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of receiving thesecond signal with the RFID reader system can only occur when the coveris attached to the cartridge body.